Ladies and gents, hockey enthusiasts of all stripes, it’s time to lace up your skates—or at least your card sleeves—and dive headfirst into the newest sensation from the Upper Deck factory: the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set. With the final whistle now blown, completing this season’s triumvirate of flagship releases, collectors can finally feast their eyes (and hands) on what might be considered the icing on the cake—a delicious mix of updates, inserts, and fresh-faced rookies that promises to thrill and dazzle even the most seasoned of card hunters.
For those keeping track at home, this isn’t just some bolt-on addendum to the already impressive Series 1 and 2; oh no, dear reader, this is an expansion of prodigious proportions. We’re now looking at a grand total of 750 cards in the 2024-25 Upper Deck lineup, a testament to the monumental scope of this project. With its eclectic array of inserts and almost every pack bursting with parallels, these cards promise collectors a dynamic hobby experience that truly delights.
Kicking off the spectacle, the Extended Series adds a rather generous 250 cards. The first 200 in this sequence showcase veteran players gracing new jerseys or celebrating new team alignments—these aren’t just your run-of-the-mill cutouts but updated visuals packed with excitement for fervent fans. And then there’s the pièce de résistance of this cardboard Cornucopia: the remaining 50 slots spotlight the ever-sought-after subsets of Young Guns and the exclusive 1st Round Rookies. These petite marvels are short-printed and surface every other pack or so, sure to ignite the relentless pursuit of rookie stars.
Now, what would a collector’s hunt be without the elusive game of “catch me if you can”? Enter the parallel card collection; each one uniquely rare, each one a potential jewel in the collector’s crown. Here's a quick rundown of the rarity scale, from rarest to 'collect-’em-all!':
- Outburst: 1:30 packs (Hobby), 1:90 packs (Blaster)
- Clear Cut: 1:96 packs
- Deluxe: Numbered to 250
- Exclusives: Numbered to 100
- Outburst Red: Numbered to 25
- High Gloss: Numbered to 10
- Outburst Gold: A golden, unique 1/1
These parallels offer intrepid collectors a rare avenue to bolster their collection with uniquely valuable rewards that twinkle tantalizingly.
In a nostalgic nod that fans will relish, inserts making a glorious return from previous series include the ever-popular UD Canvas cards—appearing four times per hobby box and catering to subsets like Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars. It doesn’t end there, either! Keep an eagle eye out for the ethereal Black and White parallels and the highly sought-after Printing Plates.
The fan-favorite Dazzlers inserts are back as well (wear sunglasses, they might go off like fireworks), rendered in soothing Blue versions (1:12 packs) and the rarer Pink formats (1:72 packs), not forgetting those ultra-rare, one-of-a-kind Printing Plates. Exclusivity also makes its home here, with Blaster boxes housing exclusive Green Dazzlers at 1:4 packs.
Enter a realm of mysticism with the brand new Oracles inserts, elegantly inspired by tarot cards. Ranges include short prints (SP) at 1:30 packs, the ultra-rare SSP at 1:45 packs, and the crème de la crème rarities at 1:180 packs, making for a collectible challenge that's as rewarding as it is thrilling.
In the world of card collecting, what's old is new again—hence the welcome return of classic inserts such as Pros and Prospects (1:4 packs), Beehive (1:5 packs), and the nothing short of almighty UD3 (1:5 packs, with Gold parallel pleasers numbering 333). Rounding off this blast-from-the-past binge are Upper Deck Encore (1:5 packs) and Trilogy Rookie Premiere, with their Common (/999), Uncommon (/499), and Rare (/99) designs. Further depths promise the Triple Dimensions Reflections, appearing 1:6 packs with Ruby (/500), Amethyst (/300), Emerald (/100), Gold (/50), and rarest of all, Sapphire (/10).
The illustrious Silver Skates make their lyrical reappearance, with base versions slipping into 1:4 packs and bronzed Gold parallels gleaming at lucky collectors numbered to 250.
So gear up, sharpen those strategizing skills, and for those prepared to indulge in the hunt, here’s a quickfire breakdown for the Hobby boxes:
12 cards per pack, 12 packs per box, and a dozen boxes per case; Blaster boxes follow with a similar scheme but comprising 4 packs instead.
Mark it in your calendars: May 29, 2025—the date when this marvelous medley makes its majestic entrance into the world. Exciting, complete, and drenched in thrill—the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey delivers an unparalleled collector’s quest. Whether you’re a card connoisseur or a humble hobbyist, this collection holds a treasure trove of surprises awaiting discovery. Prepare those album sleeves—it's game time!
2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey
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