14 15 SP Game Used Hockey

14 15 SP Game Used Hockey

This year Upper Deck moved to a new box configuration for SP Game Used Hockey. Past boxes contained five packs, with each having five cards per pack. Additionally, each box guaranteed one autograph. This year UD did away with the multi-pack box and went with one pack containing five hits (one of which is a guaranteed autograph). Personally, I like sifting through cards, so I was not a fan of the change. But, I love cards, I love hockey, and I love SPGU, so I plopped down the $120 and bought a box/pack. Here is my break:

#21 Rick Nash Jersey Card
AF-JR Jeremy Roderick “Authentic Fabrics” Jersey Card
#68 James Neal Stick Card #ed /90
#9 Phil Kessel Stick Card #ed /50
#171 Johnny Gaudreau “Rookies Blue” Auto

I’m not the type of person that needs a huge hit to enjoy a product, and the fact that I pulled a Gaudreau auto should be proof of that. But, after the short adrenaline boost ended from this pack, my conclusion is that this product is CRAP! UD really blew this one. The “Authentic Fabrics” jersey card, in my opinion, was the only card that had any life. It contained a nice swatch of jersey and a cool design. All of the other cards were a total disappointment, especially the stick cards. When looking at these cards, it looks as if UD tried to maximize their profits by going shiesty on the swatches size. Three of the four memorabilia cards have tiny half inch squared jersey or stick snips. The memorabilia pieces are so small that they are almost lost on the card. This is tragic, because stick memorabilia usually contains remarkable pieces because of all the color breaks, lettering, scuffing, and smudging that can be found on souvenirs of this nature.

Normally, I don’t draw such a harsh conclusion from such a small sample, and I’m sure there are some nice pieces in this product. But, no matter how much you buy of this product, you are going to end with a pile of poorly designed anemic trash cards. I will never risk $120 by buying another pack of 14 15 SPGU Hockey. Hopefully next year it will be different.