First Stamkos RC Live in Upper Deck Hockey

NHL players need to skate in their first regular season games before they can appear on official rookie cards, so the first few Upper Deck hockey sets of the 2008-09 season didn't include anyone from the current crop of newcomers. But with the company's flagship brand going live this week, that's about to change.

The first live rookie card of 2008 No. 1 overall pick Steven Stamkos, pictured here, is now available as part of 2008-09 Upper Deck Series One Hockey. Though Tampa Bay's prized Canadian talent isn't exactly setting the league on fire with four points in his first 14 games, collectors are expected to cut him some slack. He's only 18, after all, and the Lightning had the NHL's worst record last season.

Stamkos and company appear on Young Guns cards that fall six per box - dig that funky vine thing at the bottom - and Upper Deck Game Jersey cards can be found two per box. There's also an insert set devoted to one of the best ideas the NHL has had over the past few years, the outdoor Winter Classic game.

Naturally, rookies like Stamkos will also be a big part of every other NHL release through the first part of 2009. Keep tabs on when all of the latest hockey cards are set to drop with the new release calendar linked below.

• Sports Cards New Release Calendar

Image courtesy of and copyright Upper Deck.