The long-anticipated release of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey cards has hit the proverbial ice rink, much to the delight of hockey enthusiasts and collectors worldwide. This newest installment finalizes the triumvirate of Upper Deck’s flagship releases for the year, cementing its place as a must-have for dedicated fans and ardent collectors alike. With a smorgasbord of updated player cards, innovative inserts, and the allure of fresh-faced Young Guns rookie cards, this set is nothing short of a goldmine for serious collectors.
With this Extended Series, Upper Deck doesn’t merely aim to complement Series 1 and Series 2. Instead, it significantly broadens the 2024-25 Upper Deck Hockey collection, catapulting the total number of cards to a staggering 750. The hobby boxes are a delight to unbox, with just about every pack brimming with the potential of multiple inserts or elusive parallels, ensuring that every opening is an event in itself.
Let’s unravel the checklist, shall we? This robust Extended Series introduces a cool 250 new cards into the mix. The initial 200 cards are a nod to veteran players, many of whom are presented in new jerseys or having made recent team transfers. These cards deliver both fresh visual appeal and exciting updates to the avid mobile-card displayers and album curators. Meanwhile, the final 50 cards are where the young prospects shine brightly—the renowned Young Guns and the tantalizingly exclusive 1st Round Rookies. These scantily printed rookie cards are sprinkled with just the right amount of sparseness, appearing every other pack or so. This strategic scarcity doesn’t just build anticipation; it weaves a thrilling chase for collectors hunting down these future legends of the rink.
The hunt intensifies with the pursuit of parallel cards, each with its own distinct rarity scale:
– **Outburst** cards pop up once in 30 hobby packs and stretch out to once in 90 blaster packs.
– **Clear Cut** boasts a coolness as transparent as its name, showing up once in 96 packs.
– **Deluxe** parallel cards limit themselves to just 250 pieces.
– **Exclusives** are a crowd favorite, being numbered to 100—a cheering echo from the collectors.
– The fiery **Outburst Red** charms in its scarcity, numbered to only 25.
– **High Gloss** keeps things ultra-rare, marked at 10.
– And the elusive **Outburst Gold**, a singular masterpiece, exists as a unique 1-of-1—a true unicorn in the card world.
Adding to the rich mix of this collection are the returning crowd pleasers—the inserts. The UD Canvas cards grace the series yet again, securing their place in four-folds per hobby box. They encompass a variety of cherished subsets featuring Young Guns, NHL Legends, and the bright NHL All-Stars. For those with an eye for exclusivity, the Black and White parallels, along with the sole Printing Plates, await their discovery.
Moreover, the Dazzlers inserts make a gleaming return; the charm is in the colors presented. Blue versions sit comfortably at 1 in 12 packs, while the rare and vibrant Pink dazzles in 1 out of 72 oversize blaster boxes. The blasters hold their own exclusives too, offering Green Dazzlers at 1 per 4 packs—a Miss Universe of sorts in the world of Dazzlers.
Introducing a new cast member—Oracles steps onto the scene with a whisper of mysticism befitting of its tarot card-inspired design. Oracles come in varied degrees of rarity, ranging from SP (short print) at 1 per 30 packs to SSP (super short print) at 1 per 45 packs, with the ultra-rare finding its place at 1 per 180 packs. This addition poses a rewarding quest to the dedicated scout on the collection trail.
From the nostalgic archives, some classic Upper Deck inserts gracefully tread back into view, reviving memories of collecting days gone by:
– The ubiquitous **Pros and Prospects** at 1-per-4-pack spice.
– Sweet, simplistic **Beehive** lounges in 1 out of 5 packs.
– **UD3**! Where the thrill of gold parallels numbered to 333 still hover.
– **Upper Deck Encore** at a proud 1 per 5.
– The eclectic **Trilogy Rookie Premiere**, boasting tiers that nod to both mass and exclusivity, sparely dividing their numbers into Common (/999), Uncommon (/499), and Rare (/99).
The collection continues to dazzle with the intricate Triple Dimensions Reflections, with base versions prompted in every 1 out of 6 packs and further adorned by a spectrum of Ruby (/500), Amethyst (/300), Emerald (/100), Gold (/50), and the deeply divine Sapphire (/10) parallels.
Let’s not forget the poetic return of the Silver Skates insert, their base counterparts gliding through 1 out of 4 packs, while limited Gold parallels skates are swiftly capped at 250.
For those seeking specifics on the full tableau laid by the hobby boxes of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey, here’s a quick overview of what to anticipate: with 12 cards nestled in each pack and 12 such packs forming each hobby box, as well as a complete set amassing an impressive 250 cards, the series poses a formidable yet enticing undertaking.
A breakdown of the tantalizing haul per hobby box reveals an abundance: Eight Beehive, Pros and Prospects, or Upper Deck Encore collectibles. A rich blue Dazzler to behold. Two Oracles cards, ceaselessly sparking intrigue. An ample eight spots occupied by Rookie Reflections, Silver Skates, or UD3 offerings. Two spots claimed by the stunning Triple Dimensions Reflections. Four valued UD Canvas cards, one Outburst Parallel adding a splash of drama, and six coveted Young Guns or 1st Round Rookies—each pack more magnetic than the last.
And before we pipe down, one can’t help but be drawn to a singular Special Find, choosing between Clear Cut, UD Canvas Black and White, or the treasured rare SSP Oracles—the crown jewel for many a collector, poised delicately in the realms of rarity and reverence.
All in all, the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey dares collectors to come back for more. A stimulating blend of beloved favorites, innovative inserts, scarce rookie cards, and daring parallels, the set offers an electrifying and fulfilling collection experience, demanding attention from casual fans and seasoned veterans alike. Whether you’re a newcomer eager to dive into the thrilling world of hockey card collecting, or a seasoned enthusiast with eyes set on that one special card to complete your ensemble, this series holds countless wonders waiting to be discovered.
