In the world of hockey card collecting, the arrival of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey collections is akin to a championship winning goal scored in overtime. It’s the kind of release that sends ripples of excitement through avid collectors who have been eagerly awaiting the conclusion of Upper Deck’s annual trilogy of flagship hockey card releases. Complementing the earlier Series 1 and Series 2, the Extended Series presents an all-encompassing bevy of cards that total a staggering 750, crafting an irresistible smorgasbord of glossy sports memorabilia.
One of the most compelling aspects of this offering is its variety, ensuring that flipping through these cards is akin to a treasure hunt. Each hobby box is a veritable carton of curiosities, with the potential for discovering multiple inserts or parallels with nearly every pack you open, keeping the anticipation riding as high as a Canadiens-Leafs game in the playoffs.
The checklist alone is enough to give a collector palpitations. The Extended Series adds 250 brand new cards. Of these, the first 200 are filled with seasoned veterans, strategically peppered with updates like players in their new jerseys or on new teams—a visual treat that separates this series from its predecessors. However, the cherry on top, or in this case, the icing on the rink, is the final 50 cards. These are the “Young Guns” and “1st Round Rookies,” rookie cards printed in a numerical scarcity designed to get collectors’ hearts racing. You’ll find yourself on a nostalgic rollercoaster, remembering the excitement of Eric Lindros or Sidney Crosby rookie cards from the past, as these newbies enchant the collecting world roughly every other pack.
Adding another dimension to the collection are the parallel cards, which possess varying degrees of rarity that amplify the collecting stakes. Whether it’s the Outbursts appearing once in every 30 hobby packs, the uber-rare High Gloss numbering just 10, or the one-of-a-kind Outburst Gold, each parallel offers an adrenaline-pumped opportunity to transform a standard collection into a showcase of exclusivity.
Having explored the baseline, we dive into the depths of inserts and special features. The perennial favorite UD Canvas cards make a comeback, with four making their way into each hobby box. These include subcategories focusing on Young Guns, Legends, and NHL All-Stars, providing a tactile narrative of hockey’s burgeoning and established talents. An additional honorable mention goes to the Black and White parallels and Printing Plates, rare items that can transform a regular session of card browsing into an Indiana Jones-style escapade.
Don’t dare to forget the bedazzling Dazzlers inserts. Like their name suggests, they erupt in a fanfare of color and style, with blue versions common but their pink counterparts requiring more persistence to uncover, found only once every 72 packs. Blaster boxes get in on the act too, featuring exclusive green Dazzlers, for those attracted to the idea of adding a verdant twist to their collection.
But the real wildcard in this deck? That’s the new Oracles insert. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill collector’s card—they bring a glamorously mystical aura to the sport of frozen pucks. Inspired by tarot cards, Oracles span from straightforward enough SPs to mythical, expertly elusive rarities found just once every 180 packs. There’s a hint of divination in acquiring these cards, a suggestion of peering into a crystal ball to foresee the stars of tomorrow.
This release also serves as a time machine for seasoned collectors. Nostalgic inserts like Pros and Prospects, Beehive, and UD3 return to the fold, bringing back fond memories while adding layers of strategy to contemporary collecting. Trilogy Rookie Premiere makes an entrance as well, offering differing levels of cards from the commons to the rarest of specimens. Adding to this fervor are the Triple Dimensions Reflections cards, whose myriad parallels offer a geological survey of collectible wealth from base models to luxurious Sapphire parallels.
Perfect for those content with the collection frame of mind and for those whose collection habits are a little more appetite-for-destruction, you can expect substantial value from every hobby box configuration. With 12 packs per box, each containing 12 cards, it’s like having the entirety of a small-scale hockey history book in the palm of your hands. Be warned though; this isn’t a quick fix, more an opportunity for discovery that keen collectors yearn for, that blends nostalgia with the thrill of announcing the next big rookie to ever don skates.
Subsequently, the 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey collection arrives not simply as a binge-worthy assortment of memorabilia, but as an artful tapestry of options, narratives, and cherishing appreciation for the beloved sport. Whether a casual hobbyist or deeply entrenched collector, this lineup offers a bounty of treasured moments waiting to be uncovered and celebrated.
