For hockey card enthusiasts, the thrill of the chase is never over. The latest release from Upper Deck, revered by collectors and fans alike, has finally arrived: the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set. This isn’t just another release; it marks the crescendo of the season’s trio of flagship collections, following the much-celebrated Series 1 and Series 2. With jaws dropped and wallets ready, collectors across the globe are scrambling to get their hands on this treasure trove of cardboard excitement, which features updated player cards, inventive inserts, and the lustrous Young Guns rookie cards.
This series does more than complete a trifecta; it catapults the entire 2024-25 Upper Deck Hockey lineup into the stratosphere with an impressive 750 cards. Hobby boxes, those precious repositories of discovery, are veritable gold mines, offering a smorgasbord of inserts or parallels in almost every pack.
Sifting through the myriad of 250 brand new cards in the Extended Series, one first admires 200 veteran players, many donning fresh jerseys and joining new teams, ensuring their images are as up-to-date as a hockey fan’s fervor. The spotlight then shifts to that final golden set of 50 cards earmarked for the auspicious Young Guns and 1st Round Rookies. These are the holy grail for any collector, appearing just shy of every other pack, sending thrill-seekers into a frenzy at the mere thought of netting one of these future stars.
But wait, there’s more lurking beneath the glossy surface: parallel cards. These rare items, varying in scarcity, add layers to the narrative. Our story begins with the elusive Outburst, appearing in 1 out of every 30 hobby packs and 90 in Blasters. Clear Cut follows, even rarer at 1:96 packs. The plot thickens with Deluxe, Exclusives, and Outburst Red cards, with exclusivity tones set by their numbering—250, 100, and a fiery 25, respectively. The climax unfolds with High Gloss, at a mere 10, and Outburst Gold, that shiny zenith of uniqueness, a singular 1/1.
Beyond parallels, collectors are greeted by inserts and special features returning like beloved characters in a long-running series. UD Canvas makes its triumphant return, greeting collectors four times per hobby box, with subsets showcasing Young Guns and the legends of NHL. Seek out the storied Black and White parallels or exclusive Printing Plates, and the Dazzlers inserts will dazzle with Blue (1:12 packs), rare Pink (1:72 packs), and those elusive one-of-a-kind Printing Plates. For those opting for Blaster boxes, the exclusive Green Dazzlers appear in every 1 out of 4 packs, a verdant delight.
Introducing a mystical twist to the mix are Oracle inserts, a new addition casting a tarot-inspired spell over collectors. These spiritual seekers range from the cunning SP (1:30 packs) to the spectacularly rare SSP (1:45 packs) and beyond to the eye-wateringly rare (1:180 packs), making each discovery a moment of revelation.
Nostalgia sweeps the scene as Extended Series resurrects beloved classic inserts, including Pros and Prospects (1:4 packs), Beehive (1:5 packs), and UD3 (1:5 packs), with its Gold parallel cast down from Olympus, numbered to 333. Upper Deck Encore makes the encore appearance, joined by the Trilogy Rookie Premiere offering variations from Common (/999) to Rare (/99), keeping collectors on their toes with every pack.
Triple Dimensions Reflections returns, with base finds in 1:6 packs and cherished parallels in Ruby (/500), Amethyst (/300), Emerald (/100), Gold (/50), and Sapphire (/10), each offering a shimmer of rarity unique unto itself. Completing this pantheon, Silver Skates glide back with base versions in 1:4 packs and golden parallels numbered to 250.
For those set to embark on this collecting adventure, here’s the map: a hobby box comes with 12 cards per pack, 12 packs per box, and 12 boxes per case. Of course, Blaster enthusiasts will find their fix in 4-pack boxes, with a whopping 20 boxes per case. Mark your calendars, for on May 29, 2025, the gates to this collector’s Elysium swing wide open.
An unpacking checklist might just read like a menu of dreams—eight Beehive, Pros and Prospects, or Upper Deck Encore cards, one Blue Dazzler to add sparkle, a duo of Oracles to ponder, eight Rookie Reflections, Silver Skates, or UD3 cards to cherish, a couple of Triple Dimensions Reflections for depth, four UD Canvases for flair, a tantalizing Outburst Parallel, six Young Guns or 1st Round Rookies to anticipate, and a singular Special Find (maybe a Clear Cut, Black-and-White Canvas, or that crown jewel, a Rare/SSP Oracle).
The 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set is not simply cards in a box—it’s an experience, a saga rich with heroes, rarities, and treasures beyond measure. Whether you’re a seasoned collector tracing rookies like a scout or a casual fan in it for the sheer love of the game, this release is teeming with finds to excite, delight, and perhaps unite, in friendly trades or envied displays. Unleash your inner collector—it’s time to get those cards on the ice!
