For collectors and enthusiasts who revel in the thrilling world of hockey cards, the debut of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey set has heralded an eagerly awaited milestone. After months of anticipation, this set completes the annual flagship trifecta alongside Series 1 and 2. And what a completion it is! The Extended Series not only complements but significantly amplifies the year’s lineup, offering a dazzling total of 750 cards, each promising to bring a thrilling dimension to anyone’s collection.
The 2024-25 set unfurls an impressive layer of updates, boasting a 250-card expansion that introduces fresh faces and formats designed to captivate collectors nationwide. The allocation of cards within this impressive ensemble features 200 veteran players, many depicted in updated jerseys or representing new teams, breathing fresh life into the usual roster. Designed to spur excitement and encourage avid hunting among collectors, these cards introduce new stories and highlight player transitions, adding narrative depth to the sleek visuals.
The climax of this extended series is reserved for the spotlight-stealing rookies, who occupy the final 50-card slots. The cherished Young Guns and the 1st Round Rookies are poised to become highlights of any discerning collector’s assemblage. Coveted for their scarcity and burgeoning potential value, these rookie cards appear in virtually every other pack, igniting the chase for collectors looking to bet on future hockey stars.
While the base set beckons, the real allure of this series resides in its riveting parallel card chase. Collectors find themselves on a treasure hunt for these limited-edition gems, each offering varying degrees of rarity to enhance the thrill of the pursuit. Enter the kaleidoscope of parallels, from the more accessible Outburst (1 in 30 Hobby packs, 1 in 90 Blaster packs), Clear Cut (1 in 96 packs), and Deluxe (numbered to 250). For those with an eye for exclusivity, the hunt takes them through Outburst Red (numbered to 25), High Gloss (numbered to a mere 10), and finally to the exceedingly rare Outburst Gold, the ultimate 1/1 treasure. Each of these adds its own aromatic flavor to the collector’s journey, infusing the hunt with a potent blend of rarity and prestige.
Highlighting the narrative and artistic elements of this release are the dynamic inserts and special features. The returning UD Canvas cards lend an artistic flair, manifested four times per hobby box, with themes encompassing Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars, and featuring elusive Black and White parallels. The vibrant Dazzlers augment the palette with Blue (1 in 12 packs), rare Pink (1 in 72 packs), and uniquely scarce Printing Plates. Particularly intriguing are the Blaster-exclusive Green Dazzlers (1 in 4 packs), adding a touch of verdant surprise.
Adding fresh intrigue this series are the Oracles inserts, marrying the mystique of tarot with the thrill of the chase. These inserts range from simply elusive SPs (1 in 30 packs) to the ultra-rare SSPs (1 in 45 packs), climaxing with rarer versions (1 in 180 packs), each ensuring a rewarding quest and burst of excitement upon discovery.
Returning favorites pay homage to Upper Deck’s rich history, with beloved insert sets such as Pros and Prospects (1 in 4 packs), Beehive (1 in 5 packs), and UD3 (with a Gold parallel numbered to 333) making a comeback. Further fueling nostalgia, collectors will find Upper Deck Encore (1 in 5 packs) and Trilogy Rookie Premiere in common, uncommon, and rare iterations, alongside Triple Dimensions Reflections available with assorted colorful parallels to spice up any collection.
The Series also reintroduces Silver Skates, augmenting collector enthusiasm with base versions in 1 in 4 packs and Gold parallels limited to just 250, perfect for those who admire sleek and shimmery skating maneuvers on cardboard.
For those ready to embark on this collecting adventure, here’s a glimpse at the product configuration: a hobby box consists of 12 packs with each pack containing 12 cards, offering a rich assortment of vibrant treasures waiting to be unearthed. Collectors can bask in the delight of Beehive, Pros and Prospects, or Upper Deck Encore sets—each offering 8 total cards. Plus, the box promises special finds, including rarities like Clear Cut, UD Canvas Black and White, or Rare/SSP Oracles singles, offering a tantalizing peek into the realm of the exceptional.
With such a diverse and rewarding array in every hobby box, the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey proves itself an irresistible gem in the collector’s universe. Whether a novice navigating their first set or a seasoned veteran chasing that elusive parallel, these cards promise a treasure trove of excitement, ensuring every opening is a season of discovery. With the release marked for May 29, 2025, enthusiasts now have an epic endeavor unfurling before them, where every pack is a gateway to the thrill of the game, both on and off the ice.
