Jean Beliveau TributeUpper Deck delivers added value to Series 2 Hockey with previously announced content. Collector’s opening packs and boxes of 2014-15 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey have been surprised to find some cards and insert sets not included in the company’s original product solicitation or issued checklists.

Key to this stealth marketing tactic is the inclusion of a Jean Beliveau Tribute insert. Beliveau passed away this past December of 2014. Beliveau was one of the most accomplished players in NHL history. He played on 10 Stanley Cup winning teams and captured multiple individual award honors during his illustrious career.

The Tribute card chronicles the great moments of Beliveau’s career. Additionally, Upper Deck has included a special autograph card limited to a mere 10 copies.

A previously unannounced parallel set has also been discovered. This takes the form of the O-Pee-Chee Retro Update set which contains blank backs. The parallel set includes both rookies and traded players with 42 cards in total.

UD Blank Backs

Two inclusions carry over from previous releases. A parallel to the popular Young Guns base rookie cards, first seen in Upper Deck’s 2013-14 release, returns with Young Guns acetate cards. Each of card numbers 201-249, on the checklist, have a limited number of acetate cards in which to pursue.

Griffin

2014-15 Series 1 Hockey brought collectors NCAA Retro Flashback with a design taken from previous Young Guns releases. They depicted players who were not included in the original sets. Three new players  debut with this insert theme in Series 2 – Rod Brind’Amour, Bill Guerin and Mike Richter. They are featured on cards that utilize the 1990-91 Young Guns design.

Richter

The 1990-91 Stanley Cup winning Pittburgh Penguins are given a tip of the cap with a 4-card set that is appropriatelyJagr titled Day With the Cup Flashbacks. This was the first Cup victory for the designated players in the set that includes – Mario Lemiuex, Jaromir Jagr, Tom Barrasso and Ron Francis. The secondary market value of these cards has been tremendous for a non-autograph or memorabilia card as player collectors chase these rare finds.

Upper Deck has not provided any production numbers for any of these cards other than the aforementioned Jean Beliveau autograph card. The inclusion of surprise content has been something Upper Deck has utilized on occasion over the last couple of years. It certainly adds to the chase and the realized prices on eBay are proving that this type of content delivers exceptional added value.

For additional information about 2014-15 Upper Deck Series 2 Hockey, please visit the product page.

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