The puck has dropped, and the excitement is palpable as the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set makes a grand entrance onto the ice of the collectibles arena. This year’s release is a triumphant finale to Upper Deck’s highly anticipated trilogy of flagship hockey card sets, delivering an exhilarating blend of new player updates, exclusive inserts, and a fresh lineup of the much-coveted Young Guns rookie cards. For any collector who considers themselves a serious hockey enthusiast or just someone who enjoys the thrill of the chase, this release is set to be a heart-pounding must-have.
Far from just being an add-on to the first two series, the Extended Series significantly amplifies the 2024-25 Upper Deck Hockey lineup, bringing the total tally to a robust 750 cards. Each pack promises a kaleidoscope of collecting adventures, with hobby boxes offering a diverse array of inserts or parallels in nearly every package.
**Diving Headfirst into the Checklist**
This comprehensive set adds a robust 250 cards to the mix. The initial 200 spots offer a fresh vista of veteran players dazzling in updated jerseys or proudly posited on new team rosters. It’s a visual feast and an exciting update for fans and collectors alike. The final 50 cards, however, are where the real collector’s gold lies. Reserved for the highly-sought-after subsets including the iconic Young Guns and the exclusive 1st Round Rookies, these short-printed rookie cards appear roughly every other pack. It’s a tantalizing carrot dangled in front of collectors, tantalizing them with the promise of unearthing future hockey legends.
**Parallel Card Highlights: Chasing the Gold**
A thrilling adventure awaits as collectors embark on the hunt for dazzling parallel cards, each shimmering with varying degrees of rarity. Buckle up for a potentially epic haul that includes:
– Outburst cards, appearing in packs at a rate of 1 in 30 for hobby boxes and 1 in 90 for blaster packs.
– Clear Cut cards veiling themselves stealthily, cropping up in 1 of every 96 packs.
– Deluxe cards, striding elegantly into the realm of the numbered, with only 250 produced.
– Exclusives, exclusive indeed as they’re numbered to a mere 100.
– The brazenly bold Outburst Reds, popping with only 25 up for grabs.
– High Gloss cards, glistening under the light at a limit of just 10.
– And the creme de la creme, the one-above-all Outburst Gold, a unique 1/1 that many a collector will fervently dream of.
Adding an extra layer of excitement, these parallels present an enticing opportunity to fortify collections with uniqueness and value.
**The Alluring World of Inserts and Special Features**
Popular insert sets from previous series make a reverent return, much to the delight of their adoring fans. The beloved UD Canvas cards step back into the spotlight, gracing hobby boxes with four separate appearances which include Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars. For those with a sharp eye, Black and White parallels, as well as exclusive Printing Plates, are hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Adding a sparkling return, the Dazzlers inserts also step back into the rink, available in Blue versions in 1 of 12 packs. If you’re feeling particularly lucky, rare Pink versions can be sought out in 1 of 72 packs. And if rarity truly entices you, one-of-a-kind Printing Plates add an irresistible lure to casual fans and seasoned pros alike. For the Blaster box aficionados, exclusive Green Dazzlers make their presence known every 4 packs.
**Enter the Oracles: A Mystical Addition**
In a twist right out of left field and into the realm of imagination, Oracles inserts make their mystical debut. Inspired by tarot cards, these inserts bring an aura of mystery to the set. Ranging from challenging Short Prints (SPs) appearing in 1 of 30 packs to ultra-rare Super Short Prints (SSPs) seen in 1 of 45 packs, and even rarer finds in 1 of 180 packs, they present a thrilling challenge for dedicated collectors.
**Back to the Future with Classic Inserts**
Nostalgia runs deep with the Extended Series. Renowned classics from Upper Deck’s rich history make a welcome return, including:
– Pros and Prospects, which charm in 1 of every 4 packs.
– Beehive graces collectors in 1 of every 5 packs.
– UD3 deliveries offer excitement with Gold parallels tantalizing limited to just 333.
– Upper Deck Encore isn’t far behind, appearing in 1 of every 5 packs.
– Trilogy Rookie Premiere, which ranges from Common cards numbered to 999, to Uncommon (/499), right up to Rare (/99) offering an enticing trilogy of challenges.
– The Triple Dimensions Reflections shimmer into view with a base return in 1 of every 6 packs, with exclusive Ruby (/500), Amethyst (/300), Emerald (/100), Gold (/50), and Sapphire (/10) casting a spell of enchantment onto the series.
Moreover, Silver Skates make their glide back into the scene, layering elegance with aesthetically pleasing base versions found in 1 of 4 packs and Gold parallels limited to just 250.
**Product Configuration: What You Can Expect**
For those passionate about the chase, here’s the lay of the land for the coming search within each hobby box of 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey:
– For those craving sheer volume, expectations can be set at 12 cards per hobby pack.
– Blaster packs mirror this with equal fervor at 12 cards each.
– For hobbyists dreaming big, 12 packs per hobby box await.
– Blaster has its own charm with a speedier thrill of 4 packs per box.
– Looking at the big picture, you can look forward to a grand 12 boxes await per hobby case, while those looking to maximize their blaster experience can dive into an impressive 20 boxes per case.
– With a complete set size spanning 250 cards, there’s a trove of treasure waiting to be uncovered.
– Mark your calendars for the official drop date of May 29, 2025—it’s a red-letter day for collectors!
A breakdown of the hobby box expectations reveals a nuanced tapestry of collectable delights: 8 Beehive, Pros and Prospects, or Upper Deck Encore will find their way into your hands, accompanied by a brilliant Blue Dazzler, 2 Oracles adding a glimmer of mysticism, 8 Rookie Reflections, Silver Skates, or UD3 to shine up your collection, 2 Triple Dimensions Reflections to further expand your horizon, 4 UD Canvas treasures waiting to be unveiled, 1 Outburst Parallel promising a burst of excitement, 6 sought-after Young Guns or 1st Round Rookies waiting to skate into your collection, with a Special Find—be it Clear Cut, UD Canvas Black and White, or the rare/SSP Oracles—rounding out the thrill.
The 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey offers a thrilling concoction of inserts, rare parallels, and emblematic rookie cards sure to captivate collectors and fans alike. Whether you’re an occasional fan tracing back memories of seasons past or a seasoned collector strategizing your next big find, this series is chock-full of treasures waiting to transform and elevate your collection. Let the games begin!