Excitement breaks through the surface like a skater on freshly-zambonied ice as the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey cards finally hit the shelves! Completing this year’s compelling triad of flagship hockey releases, the latest collection promises a veritable treat bag for collectors, teeming with updated player cards, artistic inserts, and an assembly of the oh-so-coveted Young Guns rookie cards. Every puck-head worth their vintage Gretzky jersey must get their mitts on this set.
In case you’ve been hiding in the penalty box, allow us to illuminate the significance of this release. Far from merely filling the gaps left by Series 1 and Series 2, the Extended Series is akin to the cherry on the hockey sundae, inflating the 2024-25 Upper Deck Hockey collection to an impressive roster of 750 cards. Hobby boxes beckon with the charm of a Priceline commercial, guaranteeing collectors a thrilling cornucopia of inserts and parallels, many of which sidle their way into nearly every pack.
Let’s crack open the checklist, shall we? This Extended Series is the card collector’s equivalent of a power play, adding a staggering 250 new cards to the season’s lineup. Nostalgia and novelty intertwine as the first 200 positions paint a vivid tableau of veteran players, some clad in spanking new jerseys or mid-season team swaps, offering fans the cherished visual updates they desire. However, it’s the concluding 50 cards that inspire dreams of rookie greatness. They are the hallowed grounds of the iconic Young Guns and exclusive 1st Round Rookies, distributed at a tantalizing rate of roughly every other pack, igniting a fervor among collectors harboring aspirations of unearthing the sport’s future phenoms.
Now, let’s slide headfirst into the tantalizing world of parallel cards. The rarity scales vary, each card boasting its own delectable allure:
– Outburst – Found once every 30 packs for Hobby enthusiasts, and once in 90 for Blaster devotees.
– Clear Cut – Flits charmingly into your collection every 96 packs.
– Deluxe – Grinning mysteriously at the astute collector, limited at 250 copies.
– Exclusives – Whisper their secrets to 100 lucky beholders.
– Outburst Red – Passionate and whimsical, with only 25 available.
– High Gloss – Gleams with the promise of rarity, limited to 10.
– Outburst Gold – A truly unique spectacle, the one-and-only in existence.
The bliss of owning these limited editions isn’t the only delight on offer. No, indeed—the Extended Series comes packed with an engaging array of inserts and special features poised to dazzle even the most cynical collector. UD Canvas cards make a grand return, taking root in hobby boxes four times each—boasting subsets of Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars to celebrate our favorites. For those who long for contrast, Black and White parallels are a must-find, and the hunt for exclusive Printing Plates remains as steadfast as a seasoned goaltender.
The dazzling Dazzlers waltz back into packs, blushing with Blue versions (1 in 12 packs), tiptoeing on Pink’s tightrope (1 in 72), and striding regally with solitary Printing Plates. Meanwhile, Blaster boxes hold on to a secret trove of exclusive Green Dazzlers every 4 packs.
As if this shimmering pantheon wasn’t enough, Upper Deck unveils the Oracles—a tarot-inspired wonderland of collecting joy. Ranging from challenge-seeking SP (1:30 packs), to ultra-rare SSP (1:45 packs), then leaping into realms so rare (1:180 packs), it’s collector’s alchemy at its best.
Continuing their legendary tradition, beloved classics re-enter the arena with the grace of an Ovechkin breakaway. The Extended Series welcomes back veteran favorites such as:
– Pros and Prospects at an accessible 1:4 packs.
– Beehive, buzzing delightfully in 1:5 packs.
– UD3, offering Gold parallels glistening at 333.
– Upper Deck Encore, weaving nostalgia in 1:5 packs.
– Trilogy Rookie Premiere variants, casting allure in Common (/999), Uncommon (/499), and Rare (/99).
And let’s not forget Triple Dimensions Reflections—resonating echo-like through 1:6 packs with additional Ruby (/500), Amethyst (/300), Emerald (/100), Gold (/50), and barely-whispered Sapphire (/10) parallels.
Silver Skates pirouette back into the spotlight, available as base versions in 1:4 packs, while elusive Gold parallels number a minimalist 250.
Collectors are directed to expect the following from hobby boxes (that’s if they can resist flinging packs open like a kid at Christmas):
– Each hobby and blaster box cradles 12 packs, with 12 cards per pack.
– Settings are as expected, with hobby boxes coming in at 12 per case, while Blaster boxes dance their way to 20 per case.
– A total set size motivation to completionists everywhere: 250 cards.
– Release date: May 29, 2025.
When delving into hobby box specifics, collectors can anticipate:
– A tantalizing 8 total from Beehive, Pros and Prospects, or Upper Deck Encore.
– A single Blue Dazzler peeking through the layers.
– Two Trip-finding Oracles.
– Eight from Rookie Reflections, Silver Skates, or UD3.
– Two resplendent Triple Dimensions Reflections.
– UD Canvas cards gracing the spotlight fourfold.
– An existence-bending Outburst Parallel.
– Six Young Guns or 1st Round Rookies to nurture fandom hopes.
– A jeweled Special Find (Clear Cut, UD Canvas Black and White, or Rare/SSP Oracles).
This Extended Series offers a symphony of diverse inserts, rare parallels, and prized rookie cards, resonating like the harmonious clack of a flawlessly executed pass. Whether you’re just a casual onlooker or a fierce connoisseur, this edition remains a treasure trove—sure to be a highlight on any collector’s shelf. Dive in, swim through its catalog, and revel in unearthing this card cornucopia’s hidden gems.
