by Chris Coomber

Serious hockey card collectors wait every year for the launch of SP Authentic Hockey. With Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and a host of other rookies in this years set, the anticipation was greater than usual.

Not helping things themselves was Upper Deck who delayed the release of the set. But now it’s here and hotter than ever.

2005-06 Upper Deck SP Authentic features the two amazing rookie classes, as well as stellar autograph cards. Upper Deck has traditionally been known for high quality cards with their Authentic releases and 05/06 SP Authentic is no different. Collectors can find one rookie card and one autographed card per box.

The set includes a wide range of low numbered cards for collectors to sink their teeth into.

The complete set of 2005-06 SP Authentic Hockey features a wide variety of combinations with low numbering to ensure high break values for consumers. Inserts such as Sign of the Times Quads (numbered to 10) and Rarified Rookies (numbered one-of-one) act as a great complement to the 287-card regular set. In addition, collectors can find two autographs per box.

According to Upper Deck, “SP Authentic Hockey was created with superstars in the making like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin in mind.” Autographed Future Watch insert cards include 90 of the best NHL rookies. Also look for Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky and Patrick Roy cards, randomly inserted in packs.

Basic Info: 100 card base set

Rookies : Autographed Future Watch – Numbered to 999, Future Watch – Numbered to 1999, Future Watch Limited Patch Variation – Numbered to 100, Future Watch Limited – Numbered to 100.

Autographs: Sign of the Times – Inserted 1:40, Sign of the Times Doubles – Inserted 1:288, Sign of the Times Triples – Numbered to 15, Sign of the Times Quads – Numbered to 10, Sign of the Times, 5 players – Numbered to 6, Prestigious Pairings, Level 1 – Numbered to 100, Prestigious Pairings, Level 2 – Numbered to 50, Six Star Signatures – Numbered to 5, SP Octographs – Numbered to 3, Rookie Authentics – Numbered to 250, Scripts to Success – Numbered to 100, SP Chirography – Numbered to 50, Immortal Inks – Numbered to 10, Marks of Distinction – Numbered to 25, Exquisite Endorsements – Numbered to 1, Rarefied Rookies – Numbered to 1.

About the author:

Chris Coomber is a hockey card and sports card dealer. His company, Grizzly Sports Cards has one of the widest selections of sealed wax sports cards boxes on the Internet. Upper Deck SP Authentic Hockey Cards are available at Grizzly Sports Cards.