2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey isn’t the sport’s first set of the year (2024-25 MVP took that honor) but it kicks things into high gear. It’s appropriate, too, then that its release is slated to coincide with the kickoff of the NHL season. Like last year, Upper Deck is going with a more streamlined approach to packs and boxes for its flagship release. That means small-ish hobby boxes of just 12 packs. But each pack comes with at least three inserts. Young Guns? Of course they’re here, falling six per hobby box or every other pack. Upper Deck is big on tradition for its biggest set of the year, particularly when it comes to the base portion. As has been the case for a long time, Series 1 has 250 total cards. Of those, 50 are Young Guns. Collectors should expect late debuts from the 2023-24 season given the timing of Series 1’s release. It’ll arrive too early to capture any of the rookies playing their first NHL games at the kickoff of the 2024-25 campaign (although there is the customary redemption for a card of the First Overall Pick). Parallels include: This is the first of three planned installments for 2024-25 Upper Deck Hockey. Series 2 and Extended Series will each add another 250 cards bringing the finally tally to 750. The 2024-25 Upper Deck Series 1 Hockey checklist has a lot of inserts. That said, as has been the case for a while now, autographs and memorabilia cards are not the focus. UD Canvas returns, once again taking some beats from the base set but with different stock and a smaller checklist. Veterans are 1:4 packs while Young Guns are 1:24. Parallels include Black and White, and Printing Plates. Series 1 has 120 cards with a lot more planned for Series 2 and Extended Series.