2022-23 SPx Hockey

SPx returned in 2022 as Upper Deck's premium single-pack release, and it immediately became the go-to set for collectors chasing Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Nathan MacKinnon. This is the product where you're buying 5-6 cards per pack at a steep price, so every pull feels consequential. The base cards use that familiar embossed stock that SPx is known for, with a clean, modern design that lets the photography breathe. The set captures the 2022-23 season in its prime, back when the card market was still hot and box breaks were everywhere. You're not here for quantity. You're here for the hit potential and the quality of the cardstock itself. What separates SPx from the rest of the market is the parallel structure. Standard parallels come in multiple tiers, Gold, Silver, and Rainbow variants that actually look different from each other rather than just feeling like minor shade variations. The real chase is the Autograph cards, which come in different versions tied to player popularity and availability. McDavid and Matthews autos hold serious value, but so do second-tier stars like Cale Makar if you can land them. Rookie cards matter here too, especially if a young player shows early-season promise. Some boxes will have jersey cards or other premium inserts depending on the specific configuration you crack. This is strictly a hobby product for players who understand variance and can absorb a box that hits nothing. If you're newer to high-end hockey or have a strict budget, buying singles of your favorite players makes more sense than rolling the dice at 80-100 dollars a box. For collectors who love the ritual of the pack break and can handle volatility, SPx delivers consistent cardstock quality and a legitimate shot at a card worth real money. It remains one of the few modern releases that doesn't feel like opening a pack is an automatic financial loss.