Everett Misenas Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card Edmonton: A young collector’s dream realized

At just 13 years old, Everett Misenas has already faced more challenges than most people encounter in a lifetime. Diagnosed with a brain tumor at age four, the Edmonton native has endured multiple surgeries, ongoing treatments, and countless hospital visits. Yet through it all, one passion has remained constant: his love for hockey card collecting. This fall, that dedication was immortalized in an extraordinary way when Upper Deck created a special Heroic Inspirations card honoring Everett, celebrating not just his resilience but his profound impact on the Edmonton collecting community.

The story of how Everett Misenas received his own Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card Edmonton collectors are now seeking out begins at Wayne’s Sports Cards & Collectibles, his self-described “happy place.” For two years, Everett has been a fixture at the shop, meticulously organizing his collection, searching for Edmonton Oilers cards, and dreaming of one day owning his own hobby store. His enthusiasm for the sport extends beyond collecting—he plays street hockey with his former team “the Mighty Pucks,” studies player statistics, and cherishes his Young Guns card of Noah Philp, a player he met personally.

The journey behind Everett Misenas Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card Edmonton

Everett’s relationship with hockey cards began as a lifeline during difficult times. After his initial diagnosis in 2016 and a second tumor discovery in 2020, collecting became what his mother Kyla calls a “bouée de sauvetage”—a life raft that allowed him to experience childhood activities at his own pace. His energy remains limited due to treatments, but the world of hockey cards provided structure, joy, and a connection to something larger than his medical challenges.

Wayne Wagner, owner of Wayne’s Sports Cards, watched Everett grow from a regular customer into a beloved member of the store’s family. “It’s incredible to see a 13-year-old so passionate,” Wagner noted, adding that someone pointed out they might become competitors someday. When Wagner learned about Everett’s dream of running a hobby shop, he knew something special needed to happen. He contacted Upper Deck with an ambitious idea: create an official Heroic Inspirations card featuring Everett.

The response from Upper Deck was immediate and enthusiastic. “I hadn’t even finished two sentences before they responded ‘we’re doing it,’” Wagner recalled. Paul Nguyen, Senior Marketing Manager at Upper Deck, explained the decision: “All of us at Upper Deck were very inspired by Everett’s story. We were more than happy to create a Heroic Inspirations card for him.” The program typically honors individuals who have overcome adversity while demonstrating remarkable character, courage, and determination—qualities Everett embodies completely.

Inside the creation of the Everett Misenas Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card

The Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card Edmonton collectors received features Everett in a moment of pure joy. The front of the card shows him smiling, while the back details his incredible journey, his love for hockey, and his dreams for the future. The design follows Upper Deck’s prestigious Heroic Inspirations format, placing Everett alongside other inspirational figures the company has honored over the years.

What makes this card particularly special is its authenticity. This isn’t a novelty item—it’s a legitimate Upper Deck trading card, produced with the same quality and attention to detail as cards featuring NHL superstars. Collectors in Edmonton and beyond now seek out the Everett Misenas card as both a tribute to a remarkable young man and a unique piece of hockey memorabilia.

The card captures more than just Everett’s battle with cancer. It celebrates his multifaceted personality: his love of reading, video games, yo-yoing, and serving during church services. It mentions his siblings, Amelia and Isaac, and their puppy Jack. It paints a picture of a complete person, not defined by illness but by passion, kindness, and an unwavering spirit.

Manager for a day: The celebration at Wayne’s Sports Cards Edmonton

The grand unveiling of Everett Misenas’s Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card took place on November 15, 2025, during the grand opening of Wayne’s Sports Cards’ new 5,500 square foot location near West Edmonton Mall. The shop, a cornerstone of Edmonton’s collecting community since 1991, had moved to a larger space to better serve hobbyists—and to create the perfect stage for Everett’s special day.

As “general manager for the day,” Everett embraced every responsibility with genuine enthusiasm. His preparations were thorough and heartfelt:

• He practiced his autograph signature in advance, knowing he’d be signing his own Heroic Inspirations cards for customers
• He baked cookies for the staff, showing appreciation for the team that had become his second family
• He delivered a pep talk to employees before the store opened
• He personally cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the new location
• He negotiated deals with customers and selected a special product for the “Everett Sale of the Day”
• He greeted collectors and handed out his own trading cards

The line of customers stretched outside the store, each eager to meet Everett and receive an autographed copy of his Heroic Inspirations card. “It was super fun,” Everett said afterward. “It’s something I never thought I would get the chance to do.” The oversized version of his card, presented to him during the event, was “really cool”—a tangible symbol of how his courage had inspired an entire community.

How Everett Misenas gives back to Edmonton’s young hockey fans

One of the most remarkable aspects of Everett’s story is how he uses his passion to help others facing similar challenges. As a patient at the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Everett noticed that other kids needed something to look forward to during their treatments. Working with Wayne’s Sports Cards, he established a treasure chest filled with hockey card packs that hospitalized children can choose from as a reward during their medical journeys.

“He and his parents, Matt and Kyla, regularly visit the Stollery Children’s Hospital, where Everett refills hockey card packs for kids receiving care—sharing the joy of the hobby with young fans fighting their own battles,” according to Upper Deck’s official blog. This initiative demonstrates how Everett has transformed his own coping mechanism into a source of comfort for others.

His mother Kyla explains that hockey cards allow Everett to engage in normal childhood activities despite his limited energy. The structured nature of collecting—organizing cards, tracking player statistics, planning future acquisitions—provides a sense of control and accomplishment that’s often missing during medical treatments. Now, through his hospital initiative, he’s extended that same benefit to other children.

The broader impact on Edmonton’s hockey collecting community

The story of Everett Misenas’s Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card Edmonton has resonated far beyond a single trading card. It represents something fundamental about hockey culture in Alberta—a community that rallies around its own and finds ways to celebrate resilience. Wayne’s Sports Cards has long been a gathering place for collectors of all ages, but this event transformed it into something more: a symbol of how sports and collecting can create genuine human connections.

For the Edmonton collecting community, Everett has become a beloved figure. His positivity, sense of humor, and genuine love for the hobby have made him a favorite among staff and customers alike. He’s been described as a “temperate and responsible” young man who loves and cares for his younger siblings, bringing joy to everyone he encounters.

The card itself has become a sought-after collectible, but not for monetary reasons. Collectors want it because it represents a moment when the hobby did something profound—when it recognized that heroes aren’t just the players on the ice, but also the fans in the stands (or in this case, the card shop) who demonstrate extraordinary courage.

The timing coincided with Wayne’s Sports Cards’ 35th anniversary, making the celebration even more meaningful. As one customer noted after receiving an autographed card, “This is what hockey is all about—community, resilience, and passing joy to the next generation.”

What makes the Everett Misenas Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card Edmonton story so powerful

Several elements combine to make this story resonate throughout the hockey world:

1. Authentic passion: Everett’s love for hockey cards is genuine, not manufactured for a publicity stunt. He’s spent years building his collection and knowledge.

2. Community recognition: Local businesses like Wayne’s Sports Cards and major companies like Upper Deck worked together to make this happen, showing how different levels of the hockey ecosystem can collaborate.

3. Timely inspiration: At a time when the sports world often focuses on controversies and big-money contracts, this story reminds everyone why we fell in love with hockey in the first place.

4. Tangible legacy: The physical card gives Everett’s story permanence. Long after the event, collectors will find this card and learn about the remarkable young man from Edmonton.

5. Paying it forward: Everett’s hospital initiative ensures his impact extends beyond a single day of celebration.

The card serves as a testament to what Upper Deck’s Heroic Inspirations program aims to achieve: recognizing real heroes who demonstrate that sports can be a source of strength, joy, and community connection during life’s most difficult moments.

The future for Everett and Edmonton’s collecting scene

When asked about his experience as manager for the day, Everett displayed the humility and gratitude that defines him: “It was really cool to have my own,” he said simply, before spending hours signing autographs for a line of supporters that stretched outside the store. Asked about his future, Everett admits that opening his own hobby shop remains his dream—one that now feels more achievable than ever.

For Wayne Wagner, the event represented more than just a feel-good story. He sees Everett as the future of the hobby, a young collector with the passion and knowledge to keep the tradition alive. “One day we’ll maybe be competitors,” Wagner said with a smile, though he also suggested Everett could become an employee or even successor someday.

The overwhelming community response has shown that Edmonton has room for more passionate hobby shops, especially ones run by collectors who understand what makes the experience special. Everett has already proven he knows how to create joy for others—the foundation of any successful collectibles business.

As Everett continues his medical journey, currently participating in a clinical trial that shows promise for limiting future surgeries and radiation, his Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card serves as a permanent reminder that bravery takes many forms. Sometimes it’s found in a hospital room facing down a brain tumor. Sometimes it’s in a card shop, organizing a collection with meticulous care. And sometimes it’s in the simple act of sharing what you love with others who need joy in their lives.

The Everett Misenas Upper Deck Heroic Inspirations card Edmonton story isn’t just about a trading card. It’s about a community recognizing one of its own, a major company using its platform to honor true courage, and a young man whose passion for hockey has created ripples of inspiration that will touch collectors and fans for years to come. For Everett, that might be the most valuable collection of all.