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Detailed Review and Analysis of the 2024-25 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Hockey Set
The 2024-25 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Hockey set represents the pinnacle of premium NHL trading cards, blending high-end autographs, memorabilia, and innovative tech inserts with a focus on star players, legends, and emerging rookies. Released on October 8, 2025, this set continues Upper Deck's tradition of delivering collector-grade products aimed at enthusiasts seeking rarity, quality, and investment potential. With a hobby box configuration of just one pack containing four premium cards, Ultimate Collection emphasizes scarcity and chase elements over volume, making it a favorite among high-stakes collectors.
In this comprehensive review, we'll break down the set's structure, including the base set, parallels, rookies, inserts, autographs, memorabilia, and tech features. We'll provide examples drawn from the official checklist, analyze serial numbering and odds, and offer insights into the set's strengths, weaknesses, and overall value. Data is based on Upper Deck's official details, with examples highlighting key players like Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, and legends such as Wayne Gretzky.
Box Configuration and Overall Set Overview
Each hobby box contains:
- 1 pack with 4 cards.
- Average Box Break: 3 hits (autographs, relics, premium tech, or autographed memorabilia cards) + 1 numbered base card, Ultimate Introductions insert, or unsigned Ultimate Rookie card.
- Case Configuration: 16 boxes per case (2 inners of 8 boxes each).
- Key Themes: The set celebrates the NHL's current stars, historical greats, and the 2024-25 rookie class, including standout prospects from the 2024 NHL Draft. It incorporates Utah Hockey Club branding for the former Arizona Coyotes franchise.
- Total Cards: The base set is 100 cards (75 veterans + 25 legends), but the full product expands to thousands of variations through parallels, inserts, and hits.
- Odds and Insertion Rates: Most cards are "random inserts in packs," with specific odds for hits (e.g., base autos at 1:8 for veterans). Point values (e.g., 60 or 140) in checklists may refer to internal redemption or scoring systems, but they're not consumer-facing.
This low-volume, high-hit format positions Ultimate Collection as a "hit-heavy" product, ideal for breakers and collectors chasing 1/1 cards, but it comes at a premium price point (hobby boxes typically retail around $200–$300).
Base Set Breakdown
The core of the set is a 100-card base featuring current NHL stars (cards 1–75) and legends (cards 76–100). All base cards are serially numbered to /149, emphasizing limited production. Veterans include active players across all 32 teams, while legends spotlight Hall of Famers and icons.
Examples from the Base Set
- Veterans: Card #1 – JJ Peterka (Buffalo Sabres, /149); Card #39 – Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers, /149); Card #69 – Connor Bedard (Chicago Blackhawks, /149).
- Legends: Card #76 – Paul Coffey (Carolina Hurricanes, /149); Card #81 – Wayne Gretzky (New York Rangers, /149); Card #90 – Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins, /149).
Analysis: The base set is collector-friendly with its numbering, but it's the parallels and variants that elevate it. Odds for pulling a base card are high (nearly guaranteed in every box), making it accessible for set builders, but the low print runs ensure resale value for stars like McDavid or Bedard.
Parallels and Variations
Parallels add layers of rarity, with color-themed versions and autographed or memorabilia-embedded variants. These are randomly inserted and serially numbered, increasing chase appeal.
| Parallel/Variation | Serial Numbering | Examples | Odds/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Parallel | /99 | Card #1 – JJ Peterka (Buffalo Sabres); Card #81 – Wayne Gretzky (New York Rangers) | Random inserts; available for both veterans and legends. |
| Purple Parallel | /35 | Card #39 – Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers); Card #90 – Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins) | Rarer color variant; legends subset adds historical depth. |
| Platinum Parallel | /5 | Not specified in early checklists, but typically for high-end chases like McDavid or Gretzky. | Extremely limited; 1: high-odds pull. |
| Auto Variants | Varied (e.g., 1:8 for vets) | Base Auto – Card #8 – Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals); Gold Auto (/numbered). | Hard-signed; Platinum Auto is /1. |
| Memorabilia Variants | /199 (Jersey), /25–/3 (Patch), /1 (Shield) | Jumbo Jersey – Card #69 – Connor Bedard (/199); Jumbo Shield – Card #100 – Patrick Roy (/1). | Includes Jumbo Auto Patch (/10 or /3) and Jumbo Auto Shield (/1); shield patches are premium game-used items. |
Analysis: Parallels like Purple and Platinum are the set's "rainbow" chases, with numbering dropping sharply for desirability. The memorabilia integrations (e.g., shields from goalie pads or logos) are a standout, but odds favor lower-tier jerseys over 1/1 shields (estimated 1: thousands of packs). Compared to previous years, the /149 base print run is consistent, but the addition of more /1 variants amps up the excitement for case breaks.
Rookie Cards and Ultimate Rookies Subset
Rookies are a major draw, with the Ultimate Rookies subset (cards 101–200) featuring 100 prospects, many from the 2024 Draft class. These include base rookies (/299), autographed versions, and memorabilia parallels. Some are marked as "XRC" for extended rookies from prior seasons.
Examples of Rookie Cards
- Base Ultimate Rookies: Card #101 – Ethan Cardwell (San Jose Sharks, Rookie Auto /299); Card #194 – Macklin Celebrini (San Jose Sharks, Rookie Auto /99).
- Autographed/Mem Variants: Card #195 – Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia Flyers, Rookie Auto /99); Card #150 – Mavrik Bourque (Dallas Stars, Rookie Auto /299).
- Premium Rookies: Ultimate Rookies Jersey (/499, e.g., Celebrini); Ultimate Rookies Auto Patch (numbered, e.g., Logan Stankoven /99); Ultimate Rookies Jumbo Auto Patch (/15); Auto Shield Patch (/1).
Odds and Insertion: Rookie autos at 1:5–1:40 packs depending on tier; shields are ultra-rare (1/1).
Analysis: This year's rookie class is stacked with talents like Celebrini (the #1 overall pick) and Michkov, making these cards potential blue-chip investments. The subset's /299 base is more accessible than base vets (/149), but the auto patch variants offer high-end appeal. Weakness: Not all rookies are autographed, so boxes can feel uneven if you hit unsigned versions.
Inserts
Inserts provide thematic variety, focusing on rookies, legends, and multi-player cards. Many incorporate autos or relics.
| Insert Set | Description | Serial Numbering/Odds | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Introductions | Showcases young stars and rookies. | 1:4 packs; Gold /25, Platinum /1; Auto 1:5. | Liam Ohgren (Minnesota Wild); parallels like Gold Auto /49. |
| Ultimate Phenoms | Highlights top prospects. | 1:8 packs; similar parallels and autos. | Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim Ducks, Auto /numbered). |
| Ultimate Emblems Auto | Hard-signed with engraved metal emblems. | 1:8 (vets), 1:5 (rookies); Gold /49–/99, Platinum /5–/10. | Connor Zary (Calgary Flames, Rookie Auto Emblem). |
| 1997 Ultimate Legends Signatures | Retro design honoring legends. | Numbered autos; 1: varied. | Wayne Gretzky (New York Rangers). |
| 2003-04 Retro Signatures | Throwback autos. | /49–/10; Gold /10. | Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils, /10). |
| Rookie Tandem Shield Patches | Dual-rookie shields. | /2. | Celebrini/Michkov tandem (/2). |
| Ulti-Mates Jersey | Teammate memorabilia. | 1:7 packs. | McDavid/Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers). |
| Ultimate Quad Materials | Four-swatch relics. | Jersey /numbered; Patch /low. | Multi-team stars like Matthews/Hughes. |
Analysis: Inserts like Emblems (with metal tech) innovate beyond standard cards, adding tactile appeal. Retro sets appeal to nostalgic collectors, but odds (e.g., 1:40 for some autos) make them tough pulls. Strength: Multi-player inserts boost storytelling, like tandem rookies.
Autographs, Memorabilia, and Premium Hits
- Autographs: Hard-signed across tiers, e.g., Ultimate Signatures (1:6), Triple Signatures (/15), Quad Signatures (/10). Examples: Mario Lemieux (Pittsburgh Penguins); Rookie Signatures like Frank Nazar (Chicago Blackhawks).
- Memorabilia: Focus on game-used items, e.g., Debut Threads (numbered patches), Pro Threads (/49), Ultimate Heroes Patch (numbered). Rare: Ultimate Patches (/10), Ultimate Shield Patches (/1).
- Premium Tech: Combines autos/mems with tech like engraved metals or shields. Examples: Ultimate Material Signatures (Black Tag /5); Ultimate Access Patch Autos (numbered).
- Rookie-Specific Hits: Rookie Signature Premium Materials (/15–/35, e.g., Connor Zary /35); Rookie Accents (autos /65–/99).
Odds: Hits guaranteed (3 per box), but 1/1 shields are case-level rarities.
Analysis: The set excels in premium hits, with shields and patches offering authenticity (e.g., goalie pad logos). However, variance in box quality is a risk—some may yield mid-tier jerseys, others 1/1 gems. Compared to 2023-24 Ultimate, this edition amps up rookie focus amid a strong draft class, potentially increasing long-term value.
Card Gallery:
Checklist:
2024-2025 Ultimate Collection Checklist - FINAL[33]
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| 2024-25 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Hockey Hobby Box (Pre Order) | $181.56 | |
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