Arturs Silovs, a name that might not have rung a bell in the hockey world a while back, is now making headlines in the Upper Deck Series 2 Young Guns collection. The allure of these coveted cards goes beyond the usual suspects like Connor Bedard, thanks to the unexpected rise of players like Silovs. Once third in line in the Vancouver Canucks’ goaltending depth chart, Silovs found himself suddenly thrust into the limelight due to unforeseen circumstances.
Originally destined for more time honing his skills in the AHL, Silovs found his career trajectory taking a sharp turn when injuries sidelined Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith. Suddenly, the young goalie was handed the opportunity of a lifetime – to prove his mettle on the NHL stage. And prove himself he did, with remarkable performances that caught the attention of fans and collectors alike.
When he first stepped onto the ice, many anticipated the Nashville Predators to dominate the inexperienced Silovs. However, the Latvian goaltender defied expectations, putting up a formidable show and playing a pivotal role in Vancouver’s playoff campaign. With standout performances that included a staggering 42 saves in a single game, Silovs showcased his skill and composure under pressure, earning the respect of fans and opponents alike.
Despite the Canucks eventually bowing out to the Oilers in Game 6, Silovs emerged from the series not as a scapegoat but as a rising star in the making. Before his NHL breakthrough, Silovs had been making waves in junior hockey with the Barrie Colts and had already caught the eye of scouts with his performances for HS Riga in Latvia. His selection by Vancouver in the 2019 NHL Draft might have raised eyebrows then, but his subsequent displays at various international tournaments silenced the doubters.
His standout showings at the World U18 Championships and the 2023 IIHF World Championships, where he played a pivotal role in Latvia’s historic bronze medal win, solidified Silovs’s position as a national hero and a promising talent in the hockey world. And now, with the Upper Deck Series 2 shining a spotlight on him, Silovs’s rookie cards have become highly sought after by collectors.
In the fast-paced world of hockey card collecting, Silovs’s Young Guns and Canvas Young Guns cards have been steadily gaining in value and popularity. A standout among them is the Young Guns Red Outburst variant, which recently fetched an impressive $263 – a testament to Silovs’s growing fan base. His presence in other Upper Deck releases and non-licensed cards from IIHF tournaments has further broadened his appeal, particularly among European collectors.
As Vancouver contemplates the role that Silovs will play in the team’s future – be it as Demko’s backup or a potential trade asset – one thing remains certain: Arturs Silovs’s unexpected rise has not only secured his place as a key player for the Canucks but has also turned him into a sought-after figure in the world of hockey card collecting. Keep an eye out for this rising star, as his journey from obscurity to stardom is far from over.
