The thrilling world of hockey card collecting has reached new heights with the release of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set. This eagerly anticipated collection rounds off the year’s captivating trio of flagship hockey series, proving itself an indispensable treasure trove for collectors and enthusiasts around the globe.
Standing as both a complement and a crescendo to its predecessors, Series 1 and Series 2, this Extended Series propels the yearly lineup into uncharted territory with a staggering total of 750 cards. This release is a playground for myriad collectors, promising an abundance of enchanting inserts, dazzling parallels, and an exceptional lineup of emerging talent, particularly through the celebrated Young Guns rookie cards.
**A Comprehensive Collection of Hockey Excellence**
The 2024-25 installment presents a formidable addition of 250 new cards. The first 200 slots shine a spotlight on veteran players, many of whom are presented donning updated jerseys or representing new teams—the eye candy aficionados did not know they were missing. Meanwhile, the concluding 50 cards are pure collectible gold. Filled with the iconic Young Guns and the cherished 1st Round Rookies, these short-printed rookie cards are seeded approximately every other pack, turning each unwrapping into a thrilling chase for these promising future stars.
**Parallel Cards: Where Rarity Meets Majesty**
If your collecting fingers itch for rarity, the array of parallel cards in this series is certain to be the balm you need. They vary from moderately to jaw-droppingly scarce:
– Outburst parallels, appearing 1:30 packs in Hobby and 1:90 packs in Blaster configurations
– Clear Cut parallels blanketing 1:96 packs
– Deluxe editions, meticulously numbered to 250
– The Exclusives, rivetingly rare with only 100 in the ether
– Outburst Red, a mere 25 bearers
– High Gloss, with just 10 cards to boast ownership of
– And the unicorn—Outburst Gold, which exists as a unique 1/1
These extraordinary parallels add exhilarating pursuit elements to the collecting experience, offering fans rarities that could enhance both the personal satisfaction and monetary value of their repertoire.
**Inserts That Bring the Series to Life**
Beyond parallels, the series promises a mouth-watering array of inserts that collectors have come to know and love. The UD Canvas cards, gracing four times per hobby box, present subsets like Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars—a veritable feast for the eye. Collectors hungry for unique aesthetics can hunt rare Black and White parallells and exclusive Printing Plates.
Dazzlers inserts are back to enchant, with Blue Dazzlers coming in at 1:12 packs and elusive Pink versions cropping up at 1:72 packs. Blaster boxes offer the exclusive Green Dazzlers, found 1:4 packs.
Venturing into the mystical realm, the brand-new Oracles inserts introduce tarot card-inspired designs. Ranging from SPs through SSPs to ultra-rare varieties (spotted 1:180 packs), these inserts beckon to adventurous collectors seeking a transcendent addition to their decks.
**Returning Classics and Nostalgic Inserts Galore**
For those who bask in nostalgia, rejoice—the Extended Series breathes life back into revered classics. Inserts like Pros and Prospects, Beehive, UD3, and Upper Deck Encore provide that warm, fuzzy feeling of days gone by, while the Trilogy Rookie Premiere cards in their Common, Uncommon, and Rare formats entice new and veteran collectors alike.
Triple Dimensions Reflections bring an added layer of allure with base versions in 1:6 packs alongside Ruby, Amethyst, Emerald, Gold, and Sapphire parallels embellished with lower print runs for otherworldly excitement.
Silver Skates glide effortlessly back into the collecting scene, their limited Gold parallels introducing yet another target for collectors who crave the rare.
**What the Hobby Boxes Offer**
For those salivating at the prospect of what a hobby box might hold, feast on this configuration breakdown:
– Cards per Pack: 12 in both Hobby and Blaster
– Packs per Box: Hobby is 12, Blaster is 4
– Boxes per Case: Hobby boasts 12, Blaster stretches to 20
– Complete the Set: All 250 cards up for grabs, once May 29, 2025 dawns
And here’s what lies within the treasure trove:
– Eight total Beehive, Pros and Prospects, or Upper Deck Encore inserts
– One Blue Dazzlers mini firework
– A pair of Oracles gems
– Eight Rookie Reflections, Silver Skates, or UD3
– Two Triple Dimensions Reflections marvels
– Four UD Canvas gifts
– One Outburst Parallel mystery
– Six treasures from Young Guns or 1st Round Rookies
– One Special Find—be it a Clear Cut, UD Canvas Black and White, or a Rare/SSP Oracle
With so many mix-and-match possibilities, the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey does more than offer an opportunity to collect; it invites you to feel every ounce of thrill, anticipation, and satisfaction that card collecting is meant to evoke. Whether you’re trading, displaying, or just basking in the glory of each piece, this series is the key that unlocks a world of hockey legacy and legend—one pack at a time.
