At last, the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set graces the collectibles landscape, completing the annual hat trick and delivering the kind of exhilarating card-collecting experience fans eagerly anticipate. This collection, a sumptuous mix of updated player cards, innovative inserts, and a brand-new batch of coveted Young Guns, is poised to be the jewel in the crown for any avid hockey aficionado’s collection. Any serious collector can tell you that this isn’t just the icing on the “Upper Deck” cake; it’s practically the whole dessert.
Treasure hunters waiting on tenterhooks can now revel in a complete 750-card lineup, made possible by the 250 fresh cards added through this Extended Series. It’s the grand finale following Series 1 and Series 2, and for card enthusiasts, it’s a siren song in cardboard form. Each Hobby box promises an intoxicatingly diverse and dynamic cornucopia with multiple inserts or tantalizing parallels hiding within nearly every pack. Let’s immerse ourselves in this card cornucopia with a deep dive into what makes this release a standout.
This expansive Extended Series injects an impressive 250 new cards into the lineup. Our first 200 slots are reserved for the likes of seasoned veterans, now portrayed in chic new jerseys or recently-minted team updates. This feature alone is a feast for the eyes, bringing fans visuals hot off the press. Meanwhile, the final 50 cards will have collectors zealously pursuing the much-heralded Young Guns and the elusive 1st Round Rookies. These rookie cards, short-printed and appearing about every other pack, are the gold rush of modern hockey card collecting—a dream coaster ride for those tracking the next big names in the rink.
For those who fancy their cards with a dash of rarity, set your sights on the parallel cards. Each of these is a masterpiece varying in scarcity:
– Outburst—1 in 30 in Hobby, 1 in 90 in Blaster packs
– Clear Cut—1 in 96 packs
– Deluxe—Numbered to 250
– Exclusives—Numbered to 100
– Outburst Red—Numbered to 25
– High Gloss—Numbered to 10
– Outburst Gold—A rare bird indeed, unique 1/1
These tantalizingly scarce cards are sprinkled judiciously throughout, offering collectors a thrilling chase unlike any other. Snagging one of these high-valor cards will make any collector feel like they’ve embedded a diamond in their cardboard crown.
The Extended Series thoughtfully reintroduces popular insert sets that collectors have cherished over years. The UD Canvas cards, beloved by many, return and stand proud, appearing four times per Hobby box. Within this selection are subsets starring Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars. Tantalizingly out-of-the-ordinary Black and White parallels and exclusive Printing Plates only add to the allure. Following suit are the dazzling Dazzlers inserts: Blue versions arrive at 1 in 12 packs, rare Pink versions at 1 in 72 packs, and one-of-a-kind Printing Plates make cameo appearances. And don’t forget, Blaster boxes come bearing exclusive Green Dazzlers at a rate of 1:4 packs, a robust addition to any stack.
Taking the puck on a new trajectory, the Oracles inserts make their grand debut. Taking a page from mystical tarot-themed aesthetics, these cards offer a visual and collecting delight. Ranging from the challenging SP at 1 in 30 packs to the ultra-rare SSP at 1 in 45, along with impossibly rare treasures at 1 in 180 packs, this new addition molds a satisfying challenge for any dedicated card hunter.
The series also harkens back with nostalgic favorites, rekindling collector nostalgia as:
– Pros and Prospects—1 in 4 packs
– Beehive—1 in 5 packs
– UD3—1 in 5 packs, with a Gold parallel numbered to 333
– Upper Deck Encore—1 in 5 packs
The Trilogy Rookie Premiere introduces three tears of exclusivity, available as Common (/999), Uncommon (/499), and Rare (/99), while Triple Dimensions Reflections dazzle through various levels, adding more layers to the collecting spectrum.
Here’s the product configuration that’s sure to make the most distilling minds dizzy with anticipation:
– Cards per Pack: Hobby – 12, Blaster – 12
– Packs per Box: Hobby – 12, Blaster – 4
– Boxes per Case: Hobby – 12, Blaster – 20
– Complete Set Size: 250 cards
– Release Date: May 29, 2025
Breakdown for Hobby Boxes includes:
– A mix of Beehive, Pros and Prospects, or Upper Deck Encore – 8 total
– Blue Dazzlers – 1
– Oracles – 2
– A blend of Rookie Reflections, Silver Skates, or UD3 – 8 total
– Triple Dimensions Reflections – 2
– UD Canvas masterpieces – 4
– Outburst Parallels – 1
– Young Guns or 1st Round Rookies – 6 total
– Special Finds – 1, which may include Clear Cut, UD Canvas Black and White, or Rare/SSP Oracles
With its rich tapestry of inserts, rare and eye-catching parallels, and rookie cards that promise future glory, the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey collection stands as an alluring, comprehensive, and inherently rewarding collecting pursuit. This series is set to capture the hearts of everyone from casual supporters to hardened, seasoned collectors. With treasures this abundant, there’s always a new gem waiting to be discovered.
