Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey has carved out its place in hockey cards. While Extended Series is not commonly known for having many top-tier Young Guns, a variety of inserts and short prints make Extended Series one of the most fun releases of the calendar year.
Will Smith of the San Jose Sharks will be the most sought after Young Guns of Upper Deck 2024-25 Extended Series. The fourth overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft had 18 goals and 45 points in his rookie year.
The "GR8/8" Chase Begins
Upper Deck made headlines when it was announced that eight, Alex Ovechkin autographed Buyback Young Guns would be randomly inserted in packs of Upper Deck 2024-25 Extended Series Hockey. Each buyback is hand-numbered.
The Ovechkin Autographed Buy Back Young Guns featuring the "GR8/8" inscription will not only become one of Ovechkin's most sought after hockey cards, it will be one of the most sought after modern hockey cards of all time. There is no telling what that card could fetch at auction.
Acetate Young Guns
The Acetate Young Guns are commonly the most sought after hits of Upper Deck Extended Series Hockey. Ovechkin's Buyback Young Guns Autographs make the Acetate Young Guns the second most sought after hits of Upper Deck 2024-25 Extended Series Hockey.
Acetate Young Guns will not be seen jumping out packs. Upper Deck does not announce official odds of hitting an Acetate Young Guns, but it is not uncommon to go multiple cases without hitting an Acetate Young Guns.
All The Rookies!
Hockey card enthusiasts enjoy that nearly every rookie from Series One, Series Two, and the new Extended Series Rookies have a variety of hits in Extended Series boxes. This means that nearly every pack of Extended Series Hockey will have recognizable hits.
The Price Is Right?
Upper Deck 2024-25 Extended Series Hockey is preselling at various retailers for $120 USD per box. There is a chance that number slowly creeps up after release day depending how quickly the Ovechkin Buyback Young Guns Autographs get hit.
Upper Deck 2024-25 Series One Hockey retails for $110 USD, which is very close to release day pricing. There is a reasonable chance that Upper Deck 2024-25 Extended series sees a rise in box cost, even after the Ovechkin "GR/8" Buyback Young Guns Autograph gets pulled.
Hype
The Extended Series release day will have shades of the hype surrounding the Upper Deck 2023-24 Series Two release day when everyone was chasing Connor Bedard's Young Guns. Many non-hockey breakers and sports card enthusiasts will try their hand at pulling the Ovechkin Buyback Young Guns Autographs.
The hope is Upper Deck did a good enough job with 2024-25 Extended Series Hockey so those who do not commonly buy hockey products will make hockey boxes part of their routine spending.
Happy hunting and collecting!