The hockey season’s finale for collectors has arrived with a bang—the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set. This much-anticipated release is the cherry on top of the year’s trilogy of flagship hockey card sets, promising a plethora of updates, fresh faces, and intriguing inserts. For every hockey card aficionado out there, this collection isn’t just the end of an era—it’s a beginning of endless new pursuits and discoveries.
Nestled within this set are 250 gleaming new cards, expanding the 2024-25 lineup to an expansive 750 cards. A cornerstone of excitement lies in the anticipation of opening hobby boxes, where almost every pack promises a surprise—whether it’s an insert, a thrilling parallel, or even the holy grail for many, a Young Guns rookie card.
The checklist has delighted the collector world by introducing 200 veteran player cards, each capturing the players in their latest team jerseys or locations—a feast for those who pride themselves on having the most up-to-date collection. However, the true allure comes from the final 50 cards in this set, dedicated to the Young Guns rookies and the elusive 1st Round Rookies. With these short-printed cards appearing approximately once every two packs, the suspense of hoping to unveil tomorrow’s stars is palpable.
The allure of parallel cards cannot be understated, introducing fresh layers and a gentle sprinkle of rarity that delights serious collectors:
– Outburst: Appearing once in every 30 hobby packs—or if you’re going Blaster route, once in every 90.
– Clear Cut: A gem emerging once every 96 packs.
– The exclusivity ramps up with the Deluxe editions numbered to 250.
– More coveted editions include Exclusives numbered to 100, Outburst Red at 25, High Gloss at just 10, and the exceptionally rare Outburst Gold that shines brilliantly as a unique 1/1.
Digging deeper, collectors are met with a parade of beloved insert sets making a welcome return, reigniting nostalgia and expanding collections alike. The UD Canvas collection triumphantly appears four times per hobby box and features subsets that showcase Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars. Special Black and White parallels and the esteemed one-of-a-kind Printing Plates join the family, promising a visual feast.
Equally eye-catching are the Dazzlers inserts: Blue Dazzlers, a frequent appearance at one in every 12 packs, while the more elusive Pink version pops up once every 72 packs. The one-of-a-kind Printing Plates remain the ultimate treasure for Dazzlers enthusiasts. Thanks to Blaster boxes, collectors can exclusively find Green Dazzlers at a tempting one in every four packs.
A twist in this year’s set comes from the introduction of Oracles—a tarot card-inspired insert that brings a mystical allure to the world of hockey cards. Ranging from SP (1:30 packs) to ultra-rare SSP (1:45 packs) and the tantalizingly rare cards at 1:180 packs, Oracles invite collectors to unravel mysteries with every pack.
But Upper Deck isn’t merely resting on new laurels; it’s tipping the hat to its storied legacy with a parade of classic inserts. The return of Pros and Prospects (1:4 packs), Beehive (1:5 packs), and Upper Deck Encore (1:5 packs) unearths a nostalgic journey. Meanwhile, the UD3, glimmering in gold numbered to 333, adds a sheen of prestige.
Add the Trilogy Rookie Premiere to this lineup, available in Common (/999), Uncommon (/499), and Rare (/99) variants, and Triple Dimensions Reflections with its base versions in 1:6 packs. Ruby (/500), Amethyst (/300), Emerald (/100), Gold (/50), and Sapphire (/10) parallels further sprinkle magic onto the collector’s escapades. And don’t miss the Silver Skates—finding gold parallels numbered to 250 is a pursuit with gilded edges.
For those curious about the product’s configuration: the Hobby Box serves as a treasure chest with 12 cards per pack and 12 packs per box, further enriched by Blaster boxes of 4 packs, turning each purchase into an exciting expedition. Each hobby box patiently waits with 8 nostalgia-inducing cards from Beehive, Pros and Prospects, or Upper Deck Encore, 1 cool Blue Dazzler, 2 compelling Oracles, 8 assorted Rookie Reflections, Silver Skates, or UD3, 2 Triple Dimensions Reflections, 4 UD Canvas, and 6 Young Guns or 1st Round Rookies, all accompanied by one Special Find, making every unwrapping an adventure.
In the dynamic realm of sports card collecting, the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set acts as a gateway. Whether you amass for the thrill of rookies, the yearning for limited-edition parallels, or the charm of nostalgic inserts, this set captures the heart of the sport and the imagination of those who cherish it. Happy collecting!
