2014-15 Black Diamond (Hobby Box)

Short prints are nothing new when it comes to set-building products. They're business as usual for a lot of products. However, 2014-15 Upper Deck Black Diamond Hockey sticks with a configuration that is different from most products today.

With four tiers of base cards, none of which involve autographs or memorabilia, this is one of the most challenging sets to take on that's actually directly aimed at that crowd. Other high-end sets might have smaller print runs, but they're more about the hits than finishing off the checklist.

2014-15 Upper Deck Black Diamond Hockey divides its base set into Single, Double, Triple and Quad Diamond levels. The fewer the diamonds, the more common the card. At the same time, finishing the set is attainable. Double Diamond cards land six per hobby box. When it comes to Triple Diamond cards, collectors will find three rookies and three veterans per box. Quad Diamonds are three per hobby box, at least one of which is a rookie.

The etched foil design makes for some bright parallels. These include Star Rubies, which are done with Light F/X technology this year, Emerald and Sapphire. The product also has autographed parallels.

While the base set is the primary focus of 2014-15 Upper Deck Black Diamond Hockey, there are some hits. Hobby boxes have a pair of Double Diamond Dual-Swatch Jerseycards. While these work on their own, they also can be pieced together to form larger puzzles.

Besides autograph parallels, Gemography cards return. Signature cards combine to land approximately four per hobby case.

Acetate Hardware Heroes and die-cut Championship Rings both return as premium inserts. Hardware Heroes are a case hit and come numbered to 100. Championship Rings fall approximately four per case.

After debuting last year, the Quad Diamond Relic Draft returns. Redemptions, which are randomly inserted in packs, give collectors an entry into the interactive draft where they'll get to pick a one-of-one rookie. These special cards come embedded with four canary diamonds.

Product Configuration: 20 packs per box, 5 cards per pack
Price Point: Mid-End Hockey Card
Target Audience: Set Builders, Rookie Collectors, Player Collectors

2014-15 Upper Deck Black Diamond Hockey Hobby Box Break

• 2 Dual Jersey Cards
• 1 Parallel
• 1 Quad Diamond Rookie
• 3 Triple Diamond Rookies
• 1 Quad Diamond Veteran
• 1 Additional Quad Diamond
• 3 Triple Diamond Veterans
• 6 Double Diamond Veterans
• 3 Triple Diamond Veterans
• 100 Total Cards