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2024-25 Upper Deck Credentials Hockey Trading Card Set: Detailed Report and Analysis
Overview
The 2024-25 Upper Deck Credentials Hockey Trading Card Set is a high-end release in the hockey card collecting landscape, designed to appeal to both veteran collectors and newcomers. Released in early 2025, this set emphasizes a blend of classic Upper Deck design aesthetics with modern chase elements, such as autographs, memorabilia cards, and rare parallels. The set is particularly notable for its focus on the 2024 NHL Draft class, featuring top rookies alongside established NHL stars and retired legends. With a robust checklist, diverse insert sets, and a variety of parallels, the set offers a dynamic collecting experience.
Key Features
Release Date: January 2025
Set Size: 150-card base set (100 veterans, 50 rookies)
Box Configuration:
Hobby Box: 8 packs, 6 cards per pack (48 cards total per box)
Average Box Hits: 1 autograph, 1 memorabilia card, 4 numbered parallels, 4 inserts
Target Audience: Collectors seeking premium cards, rookie enthusiasts, and investors chasing high-value parallels and autographs
Notable Elements: Extensive parallels, short-printed (SP) inserts, and a strong rookie class featuring players like Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov
Base Set
The base set consists of 150 cards, split into:
100 Veteran Cards: Featuring current NHL stars and select retired players.
50 Rookie Cards: Highlighting top prospects from the 2024 NHL Draft, including players like Macklin Celebrini, Matvei Michkov, and Lane Hutson.
Base Set Parallels
Each base card has multiple parallel versions, which vary in rarity and are numbered to specific print runs. The parallels add significant chase value, with some being extremely rare. Below is a comprehensive list of base set parallels with their estimated odds per pack (based on hobby box averages):
Purple Parallel: #/199 (1:12 packs)
Green Parallel: #/99 (1:24 packs)
Blue Parallel: #/49 (1:48 packs)
Orange Parallel: #/25 (1:96 packs)
Red Parallel: #/10 (1:240 packs)
Black Parallel: #/5 (1:480 packs)
Gold Parallel: 1/1 (1:2,400 packs)
Total Base Parallels: Approximately 7 parallel variations per base card, with a total of 1,050 parallel cards (150 base cards × 7 parallels). The odds reflect hobby box configurations, with retail formats (e.g., blasters) having adjusted odds, often with fewer hits.
Insert Sets
The 2024-25 Credentials set includes several insert sets, each with its own theme and design, celebrating different aspects of hockey. These inserts are not part of the base set and are inserted at varying ratios, often with their own parallels and autographed versions. Below is a detailed breakdown of the insert sets, their estimated sizes, and pack odds.
1. Debut Ticket Access (DTA)
Theme: Showcases top rookies from the 2024 NHL Draft in a ticket-stub design.
Estimated Set Size: 50 cards
Notable Players: Macklin Celebrini, Matvei Michkov, Lane Hutson
Parallels:
Purple: #/49 (1:96 packs)
Green: #/25 (1:192 packs)
Blue: #/10 (1:480 packs)
Gold: 1/1 (1:4,800 packs)
Autograph Versions: Select cards have autographed parallels (e.g., Debut Ticket Access Autographs, #/25 or less, 1:960 packs)
Total Insert Variations: ~250 cards (50 base inserts + 200 parallel/autograph variations)
Odds: 1:24 packs for base DTA inserts
2. Star Systems
Theme: Highlights current NHL superstars with a cosmic, star-inspired design.
Estimated Set Size: 20–30 cards
Notable Players: Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Cale Makar
Parallels:
Purple: #/49 (1:120 packs)
Green: #/25 (1:240 packs)
Blue: #/10 (1:600 packs)
Gold: 1/1 (1:6,000 packs)
Autograph Versions: Limited autographed parallels (#/10 or less, 1:1,200 packs)
Total Insert Variations: ~120–180 cards (20–30 base inserts + 100–150 parallel/autograph variations)
Odds: 1:48 packs for base Star Systems inserts
3. Retro Ticket Access
Theme: A nostalgic nod to past Upper Deck designs, featuring veterans and legends in a retro ticket style.
Estimated Set Size: 20–30 cards
Notable Players: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby
Parallels:
Purple: #/49 (1:120 packs)
Green: #/25 (1:240 packs)
Blue: #/10 (1:600 packs)
Gold: 1/1 (1:6,000 packs)
Autograph Versions: Limited autographed parallels (#/10 or less, 1:1,200 packs)
Total Insert Variations: ~120–180 cards (20–30 base inserts + 100–150 parallel/autograph variations)
Odds: 1:48 packs for base Retro Ticket Access inserts
4. 1st Star, 2nd Star, 3rd Star
Theme: Celebrates standout performers from the 2024-25 NHL season, categorized as first, second, and third stars.
Estimated Set Size: 15–20 cards per tier (45–60 cards total)
Notable Players: Varies based on seasonal performance (e.g., Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon)
Parallels:
Purple: #/49 (1:160 packs)
Green: #/25 (1:320 packs)
Blue: #/10 (1:800 packs)
Gold: 1/1 (1:8,000 packs)
Autograph Versions: Limited autographed parallels (#/10 or less, 1:1,600 packs)
Total Insert Variations: ~180–240 cards (45–60 base inserts + 135–180 parallel/autograph variations)
Odds: 1:64 packs for base 1st/2nd/3rd Star inserts
Total Insert Variations
Approximate Total Insert Cards: ~670–850 cards (sum of base inserts and their parallels/autographs across all sets)
Average Inserts per Box: 4 inserts (1:2 packs), with a mix of base inserts and occasional parallels.
Autographs and Memorabilia
Autographs and memorabilia cards are key chase elements in the 2024-25 Credentials set, adding significant value to hobby boxes. Each hobby box guarantees 1 autograph and 1 memorabilia card on average.
Autographs
Memorabilia Cards
Main Memorabilia Sets:
Parallels: Limited parallels with premium swatches (e.g., patch versions, #/25 or less, 1:1,920 packs)
Total Memorabilia Variations: ~50–75 cards
Odds: 1:48 packs for any memorabilia card
Variations
Unlike some other trading card sets (e.g., 2024 Topps Series Baseball), the 2024-25 Credentials set does not emphasize image variations or short-print (SP) base card variations. Instead, the focus is on parallels and autographed versions of base and insert cards. The lack of explicit image variations simplifies the set for collectors but may disappoint those seeking alternate photos or designs.
Pack and Box Breakdown
Hobby Box Configuration
Packs per Box: 8
Cards per Pack: 6
Total Cards per Box: 48
Average Box Hits:
Estimated Box Value: Hobby boxes are priced at approximately $150–$200, offering a strong value proposition given the guaranteed hits and potential for high-value pulls (e.g., 1/1 Gold Parallels).
Pack Odds Summary
The following table summarizes the approximate odds per pack for key chase elements:
Card Type | Odds per Pack |
|---|---|
Base Card | 1:1 |
Base Parallel (Any) | 1:3 |
Insert (Any) | 1:2 |
Autograph (Any) | 1:48 |
Memorabilia Card (Any) | 1:48 |
1/1 Gold Parallel (Base/Insert) | 1:2,400–8,000 |
Statistics and Ratios Analysis
Total Unique Cards: Approximately 1,900–2,100 cards (150 base + 1,050 base parallels + 670–850 inserts + 100–150 autographs + 50–75 memorabilia)
Rarity Breakdown:
Common Cards: Base cards (1:1 packs)
Uncommon Cards: Base parallels (Purple, Green; 1:12–1:24 packs), base inserts (1:2 packs)
Rare Cards: Numbered parallels (Blue, Orange, Red; 1:48–1:240 packs), autographs (1:48 packs), memorabilia (1:48 packs)
Ultra-Rare Cards: Black and Gold parallels (1:480–1:8,000 packs)
Collector Appeal: The set’s structure caters to multiple collecting styles:
Set Builders: The 150-card base set is achievable, with parallels adding depth.
Rookie Hunters: The 50-card rookie subset and Debut Ticket Access inserts are major draws.
Hit Chasers: Autographs, memorabilia, and 1/1 parallels provide high-stakes excitement.
Pack Value: With an average of 1 insert per 2 packs and 1 hit (autograph or memorabilia) per box, packs offer consistent value, though ultra-rare pulls (e.g., 1/1s) are highly luck-dependent.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
Strong Rookie Class: The 2024 NHL Draft class, led by Celebrini and Michkov, adds significant value to rookie cards and autographs.
Diverse Parallels: The extensive parallel lineup (7 per base card, 4 per insert) provides ample chase opportunities.
Guaranteed Hits: Hobby boxes ensure at least 1 autograph and 1 memorabilia card, enhancing perceived value.
Nostalgic Design: Retro Ticket Access and classic Upper Deck aesthetics appeal to veteran collectors.
Weaknesses
Limited Image Variations: The absence of alternate image or short-print variations may reduce variety for some collectors.
High-End Chase Rarity: Ultra-rare parallels (e.g., Gold 1/1) have extremely low odds, potentially frustrating casual collectors.
Incomplete Checklist Details: Exact print runs and odds for some parallels/autographs are not fully disclosed, complicating collector planning.
Conclusion
The 2024-25 Upper Deck Credentials Hockey Trading Card Set is a well-rounded release that balances accessibility with high-end chase elements. Its 150-card base set, extensive parallel lineup, and diverse insert sets provide a robust collecting experience. The guaranteed hits in hobby boxes, combined with a strong rookie class and nostalgic design elements, make this set appealing to a wide range of collectors. While the lack of image variations and the rarity of ultra-premium cards may be drawbacks, the overall structure ensures excitement in every pack. Collectors chasing rookies, autographs, or rare parallels will find the 2024-25 Credentials set a worthy addition to their collections.
Card Gallery:
Checklist:
2024-25 Credentials Hockey Checklist – FINAL[87]
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