The anticipation is finally quenched! The curtain has lifted on the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey, and collectors can now revel in what promises to be a veritable treasure trove of hockey card delights. This final act in the year’s trilogy of flagship hockey releases is like the grand dessert following an exquisite three-course meal. It complements Upper Deck’s Series 1 and Series 2 while also expanding even further outwards and upwards, bringing the combined card count to a stunning 750.
For any card enthusiast who has been eagerly flipping boxes open for the first two series, the Extended Series feels like a homecoming of sorts—but with a significant expansion of the family. Hobby boxes have been crafted with care, designed to keep the excitement sizzling with a variety of inserts or parallels tucked into nearly every pack, making each hover over a pack an electrifying moment of potential.
A detailed exploration uncovers that this Extended Series is all about broadening horizons with an additional 250 new cards. Among these, the majority—200 in fact—are cards of veteran players gracing fans with updated jerseys or team swaps, providing exhilarating new views and fresh content. The gripping chase for collectors, though, lies in the final 50 cards, which mark the territory of the iconic Young Guns and the exclusive First Round Rookies. These short-printed rookie cards pop up around once in every other pack, sparking the thrill of the hunt for budding starlets of the hockey rink.
Parallel cards do much more than just sit pretty, waiting to be found. They demand attention, bringing with them varying levels of rarity and excitement:
– Outburst – Expect a hit every 30 packs in Hobby, or a grander nod every 90 in Blaster.
– Clear Cut keeps the mystique alive with a slim appearance every 96 packs.
– Deluxe takes it up a notch, shiny and numbered to 250.
– Exclusives dial up the intensity, a cool collection of 100.
– Outburst Red cranks it to 25.
– High Gloss, tantalizingly, is limited to just 10.
– Outburst Gold stands alone—a unique creation with a solitary golden touch.
Each of these rare finds adds a layer of eager exploration, representing more than just cards—they are valuable gems to enhance any serious collection.
Returning favorites also have their place in this mix, as fans will certainly nod in recognition. The UD Canvas cards make a robust re-entry, occurring four times in each hobby box. Within this subset, Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars add color and vibrance, paralleled by the hunt-worthy Black and White variations and exclusive Printing Plates.
Dazzlers’ inserts, known for their striking looks, sparkle back into collectors’ domains with Blue (1:12 packs), the even rarer Pink variety (1:72 packs), and exquisite one-of-a-kind Printing Plates adding to the allure. And for those diving into Blaster boxes, the Green Dazzlers show themselves every fourth pack, a modest but exciting addition.
A new player, Oracles, enters the high-stakes game. This tarot card-inspired addition to the repertoire is a quirky, mystical twist that appeals to the esoteric collectors among us. They range from Special provisions (SPs) at 1:30 packs to super-rare (SSPs) and even rarer manifestations (1:180 packs), making for another captivating chase.
Not to be outdone by the new, the old classics return with Pros and Prospects (1:4 packs), Beehive (1:5 packs), the polished UD3 (1:5 packs), and the always-revered Upper Deck Encore (1:5 packs). Trilogy Rookie Premiere itself offers a triple temptation, shown as Common (/999), Uncommon (/499), and Rare (/99) cards. Meanwhile, the Triple Dimensions Reflections add their charm, teasing collectors with levels from base availability (1:6 packs) progressing to Ruby, Amethyst, Emerald, and, naturally, Gold and Sapphire editions for that extra sparkle.
Finally, no Extended Series would be complete without the gliding return of Silver Skates—always a highlight—with base versions accessible at 1:4 packs and the particularly golden, limited parallels stamped at 250.
The overall configuration of the marvelous hobby boxes paints a picture of potential riches:
– Cards per pack: 12, whether Hobby or Blaster.
– Packs per Box: 12 for Hobby, 4 for Blaster.
– Boxes per Case: 12 Hobby cubes to be cherished, 20 Blaster boxes for the bold.
This hockey card monumental marvel is poised to stretch out a hand and invite both the well-versed collector and the bright-eyed novice into the scintillating world of hockey card collecting. Whether assembling an oeuvre or simply delving into the thrill and wonder of chance, the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey offers an unparalleled ride with each and every pack.
