Release date – 18th September 2024
2022-23 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey finally brings another card season to a close. As has been the case for the past couple of years, it may be out very late but that hasn’t changed the content. This is the peek of Upper Deck’s hockey portfolio, bringing super-premium content throughout the checklist.
On-card autographs, colorful patches, low numbering, big-name players — all of these come together to make The Cup what it is known for.
Hobby boxes include multiple signatures including at least one rookie autograph patch card.
The focus of The Cup, like any ultra high-end release, is likely to be on the hits. But the base set acts as a foundation. Here, everything is numbered to 249 when it comes to veterans and standard rookies. Parallels come in a variety of forms incorporating memorabilia and/or autographs. These include:
Of course, there are also the Rookie Patch Autographs. Since The Cup’s debut nearly 20 years ago, these have been regarded as the top RCs in the sport. Boasting on-card signatures and premium swatches, these are numbered to either 249 or 99 depending on the player. Top prospects are typically in the scarcer tier. Additional versions come in:
The 2022-23 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey checklist has a lot more rookie content than the base set.
The biggest, literally, come in the form of booklets. Monumental Rookie Patch Autographs (/6) open up to have a pair of jumbo pieces.
Brand Logo Autographed Rookie Patch Booklets (/3) have a full patch on one side and plenty of space for a signature on the other.
Additional first-year themed autographed memorabilia cards include Signature Patches Rookies (/99), Expanded Materials Rookies (/49), On Display Auto Jersey (/49), Splendor Rookies Auto Patch (/49), Scripted Swatches Rookies (/35), The NHL Collection Rookies (/35), Rookie Gear Autographs (/24), Rookie Marks Dual Autographs (/18), Emblems of Endorsements Rookies (/15), Rookie Class of 2023 (/10), and Honorable Numbers (#/ player’s jersey number).
Cup Foundations Rookies (/99) bring swatches in bulk with four different pieces. In additional to Patch (/10) and Patch Tag (/2) parallels, some cards also have autographs (/15 or less).
Collectors can also find rookie Printing Plates from a variety of 2022-23 Upper Deck products.
Although many themes in 2022-23 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey may seem familiar to those who have followed the brand for a while, there are some new additions like LogoMarks (1:20 packs, Rookies – 1:15 packs), Championship Reflections (/35), Sepia Signature Patches (/35), Expanded Materials Autographs (/25), On Display Jersey (/49, Rookies – /75), On Display Auto Jersey (/25), Materialisticks (/25), Materialisticks Autographs (/15), Inked Impressions, and Dual Shields (1/1).
Returning favorites include Signature Renditions (1:15 packs), Brilliance (1:16 packs), Enshrinements (/99 or less), Signature Patches (/99 or less), Splendor Auto Patch (/36), Scripted Swatches (/35), The NHL Collection (/25 or less), Emblems of Endorsements (/15), Scripted Sticks (/15), and Top Tens (#/player’s draft position).
Cup Foundations (/49) has vet versions as well. Like rookies, these center on having four pieces of gear. Cup Trios (/35) and Quads (/25) have multiple players and swatches. All of these have a variety of premium parallels including some autographs for Cup Foundations.
Legends of the NHL (/9) open up to showcase signatures from three players across three panels.
Nine-Way Signature Booklets (/9) have three panels as well. However, each of these has an autograph from a trio of players making for nine autographs total.
2022-23 Upper Deck The Cup does have some other inserts that don’t carry any signatures or swatches.
All-Time Alum and Rookie Class of 2023 are the most plentiful with 249 copies each, matching base set print runs.
The Show returns with similar but separate Black and White versions. No matter the type, these are numbered to 99.
2022-23 Upper Deck Hockey Printing Plate Booklets come with all four of the metal pieces required to produce the season’s flagship cards.
Redemptions for Artist Proofs uncut sheets are also randomly inserted in 2022-23 Upper Deck The Cup Hockey hobby boxes.
The Cup marks the third and final installment of 2022-23 Exquisite Collection Hockey. After some parts were included in Black Diamond and Ice, another batch of cards from Upper Deck’s other well-known super-premium line is available here.
Exquisite Collection Rookie Auto Patch cards are limited to the player’s jersey number. These also have Horizontal Variations (/25), Gold Horizontal Variations (1/1) and Auto Shield (1/1) versions.
Among the other Exquisite inclusions are 2003-04 Exquisite Endorsements Rookies (/50), Exquisite Endorsements (/50, /25 or /10), Exquisite Endorsements Rookies (/50), 2003-04 Exquisite Auto Patch Veterans (/25), 2003-04 Exquisite Autographs (/25), and 2003-04 Exquisite Limited Logos (/15 or /10).
Cards per pack: Hobby – 6
Packs per box: Hobby – 1
Boxes per case: Hobby – 6
Set size: TBA
Release date (subject to change): September 18, 2024
