Hockey fans and card collectors, the wait is finally over! The 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set has skated its way into consciousness, completing a thrilling trio of hockey releases for the season. This edition offers a formidable line-up including updated player cards, unique inserts, and a fresh array of Young Guns rookie cards. It’s the pièce de résistance that has hockey enthusiasts buzzing and sets itself as a must-have in the arsenal of any serious collector.
In true Upper Deck fashion, the Extended Series not only complements Series 1 and Series 2 but significantly expands the total collection to a grand total of 750 cards. It promises an eclectic mix and an intriguing array of variations, with hobby boxes serving as a treasure trove where collectors can unearth diverse inserts or parallels lurking in nearly every pack. It’s like a hockey-themed Willy Wonka factory, but instead of chocolate, you’re on the hunt for your card-collecting grails.
Let’s glide over to a deeper inspection of the series checklist. This comprehensive accompanying act to the standard series boasts an impressive addition of 250 new cards. The first 200 are dedicated to showcasing veteran players, many donned in updated jerseys or representing new teams. It’s akin to a fashion show for athletes in skates, alluring fans with fresh aesthetics and exciting updates. The last 50 slots belong to the hotly pursued Young Guns and the exclusive 1st Round Rookies. These rookie cards are short-printed jewels, appearing approximately every other pack, causing frequent bouts of heart palpitations among collectors staking their claim on the future stars of hockey.
Now, let’s talk about parallel cards, the badge of valor for many collectors. These are more variable than a bouncing puck in double overtime, with their levels of rarity dictating rarity and prestige:
– Outburst – found 1 in every 30 hobby packs and 1 in every 90 blaster packs.
– Clear Cut – a rarer species, emerging once in every 96 packs.
– Deluxe – limited to just 250, making appearances as rare as a solar eclipse.
– Exclusives – scarcer still, numbered up to 100.
– Outburst Red – an elusive creature, numbering to a mere 25.
– High Gloss – a collector’s holy grail found only among 10.
– Outburst Gold – the ultimate 1/1 find, akin to finding the golden ticket.
The inclusion of these parallels adds substantial intrigue and thrill, offering collectors the joyous pursuit of capturing rare gems to augment their collections. Add in a smattering of popular inserts, and you’ve got a set that packs the thrill of a game-winning goal.
Fans will swoon to see some beloved insert sets making a spirited return, like UD Canvas cards, featured prominently at four appearances per hobby box. These come in subsets such as Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars, including tantalizing Black and White parallels and exclusive Printing Plates. Then there are the luminescent Dazzlers inserts, with Blue versions popping up 1 in every 12 packs, rare Pink versions appearing at 1 in every 72 packs, and the elusive one-of-a-kind Printing Plates. Blaster boxes come packed with an exclusive serving of Green Dazzlers at a frequency of 1 in 4 packs, a scoop of vibrant collector bliss.
The introduction of the Oracles inserts adds a mystical twist, bringing a delightful tarot card-inspired set to the fray. Running the gamut from challenging SP (1 in 30 packs) to the statue-rare SSP (1 in 45 packs), and even rarer still cards at 1 in 180 packs, these offer a rewarding challenge worthy of the most dedicated collectors.
Amidst all the fresh flavors, nostalgic inserts beauty the ice once more with fan-favorites from Upper Deck’s glorious past. The Extended Series grants another spin on classics like Pros and Prospects (emerging 1 in 4 packs), Beehive (1 in 5 packs), UD3 (1 in 5 packs, with a Gold parallel numbered to 333), and the august Upper Deck Encore (also 1 in 5 packs). Trilogy Rookie Premiere adds its flair with Common (/999), Uncommon (/499), and Rare (/99) versions. With the added superiority of Ruby (/500), Amethyst (/300), Emerald (/100), Gold (/50), and Sapphire (/10) parallels, collectors are in for a swirl of possibilities.
Silver Skates make a suave reappearance, with base versions gracing 1 in 4 packs and limited Gold parallels numbering to 250. It’s a luscious offering worthy of the most ardent aficionado.
In terms of product configuration, collectors will find hobby boxes bursting with potential. Each sports 12 cards per pack, 12 packs per box, and 12 boxes per case, while Blaster boxes double down with 20 boxes per case. With its official release set for May 29, 2025, collectors eager to get their hands on these hobby boxes can expect to uncover up to 8 Beehive, Pros and Prospects, or Upper Deck Encore cards, alongside 1 Blue Dazzlers, 2 Oracles, 8 Rookie Reflections, Silver Skates, or UD3 cards, 2 Triple Dimensions Reflections, 4 UD Canvas, 1 Outburst Parallel, and 6 Young Guns or 1st Round Rookies. There’s also the chance to snag a Special Find, whether that’s a Clear Cut card, UD Canvas Black and White, or Rare/SSP Oracles.
The 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey binds innovation, nostalgia, and excitement in an irresistible package. It’s more than a card set; it’s the quintessential white whale for avid hockey collectors. Gear up, clear off your countertop, and prepare for the thrill of finding that perfect card. May your packs be ever in your favor!
