2014-15 Upper Deck Artifacts Hobby Box Break

Is there any better way to begin building a collection than by busting a box?

I decided to roll the dice on 2014-15 Upper Deck Artifacts, a product that boasts being, "chock full of hits". Each box comes with an autograph, a handful of memorabilia cards and more than enough serial numbered parallels and subset cards.

It's an affordable product that opens a window to the possibility of landing some nice cards.

Apparently, according to Upper Deck, 70 percent of Artifacts hobby boxes have a memorabilia card that features either a patch, stick, tag, strap or has six pieces. So we know that the goods are packed inside, now the aim is directed at hitting those patch, stick, tag cards with the right players.

Here is a contents list of what to expect inside a typical hobby box of 14-15 Upper Deck Artifacts.

2014-15 Upper Deck Artifacts Hockey Hobby Box Break
• 1 Dual- or Triple-Player Memorabilia Cards
• 2 Additional Multi-Swatch Memorabilia Cards
• 1 Autograph or Rookie Autograph Redemption
• 1 Rookie Redemption
• 2 Numbered Rookies
• 1 Numbered Goalie Subset Card
• 1 Additional Numbered Subset Card
• 1 Numbered Parallel
40 Total Cards

I've always enjoyed the modern look of the Artifacts base set. The collection's design tends to focus on a 'portrait' of the individual player as opposed to in game photography.

The background features an ice surface-like texture which is very fitting. The use of foil on the card compliments the whole design and is done exactly right. Generally the cards keep to their clean, stylish scheme we've come to expect from Artifacts. 

The reverse of the base set features stats from the previous 4 seasons along with a short write-up in regards to the featured player. A similar ice-like background is used along with the same photo that was used on the front of the card.

I like how Artifacts includes a mix of current and retired players. There are a few notable atypical retired players that have been included in this years product such as Markus Naslund, Brian Bellows and Rob Brown - guys who don't seem to get the kind of hobby love per say the likes of Yzerman and Sakic tend to receive.

Artifacts also throws a visual changeup by including images of players in their Team Canada and NHL All-Star jerseys; not to mention retired players in uniforms that are not commonly associated with them such as Eric Lindros in a Dallas Stars sweater and Rob Blake sporting an Avs crest.

The serial numbered goalie base cards are typically inserted at a rate of one per box. I beat the odds and pulled two of these in my hobby box; Henrk Lundqvist and Pekka Rinne. The design of these are nearly identical to their base card equals aside from a gold hue implementing the background and a stamped serial number /999 on the right side of the card.

My two numbered rookies were Andrey Makarov and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Makarov spent the entire 2015-16 hockey season in the minors sharing goaltending duties with Linus Ullmark and Nathan Lieuwen of the Rochester Americans. He was served a cup of coffee in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres during the 2014-15 NHL season in a 60 minute regulation loss.

Kuznetsov has become a regular stud on the Capitals. He registered 20 goals and 77 points in 82 games this past season playing occasionally on the top line with Ovechkin and Oshie.

You may have noticed that the Andrey Makarov card is a 'Ruby' parallel, numbered out of /499 instead of the usual /999 serial number.

The promised numbered parallel turned out to be a 'Gold' Michel Goulet numbered to just /25 copies. A low numbered parallel of a Hall of Famer. Parallel cards aren't my thing so hopefully I can flip this for something more suited to my own collecting preferences.

As previously listed among the contents of a hobby box, you receive one autograph per, either in the form of an autographed memorabilia parallel or as an 'Auto Facts' card .

I'm not really into Tyler Bozak but I think that I could have probably done much worse. Obviously, the 'bigger' names such as Gretzky and Orr from the Auto Facts checklist are as per usual, very tough to pull.

My first memorabilia hit from the box comes in the form of a 'Treasured Swatches' Daniel Briere. The dual jersey card features two of the Montreal Canadiens' most prominent colors.

There's a Rookie Redemption card in every box of Artifacts. Mine was a 'wild card' which turns out will be Phillip Danault of the Chicago Blackhawks when it is redeemed from Upper Deck. Danault is now a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

The 'Tundra Trios' card that I pulled was a little weak in the player selection category. Similar to the state of the Buffalo Sabres during 2014-15 campaign, this triple-jersey card doesn't have much going on for it. On the bright side, at least all the swatches are colored.

I was saving the best for last. Here's my biggest hit from the box - a Drew Doughty Jersey Patch card that's numbered out of /75.

I really like the jersey and patch pieces that they decided to use on this card. Albeit just a small piece, the glittery silver lining of the Kings' crest makes this card pop. I think it's going to be a keeper in my collection.

I think I did okay from this box of 2014-15 Upper Deck Artifacts. No ultra mojo hits but I wasn't disappointed with the overall outcome. In the end, I walked away with some nice cards and I could see myself busting another box of this in the future.

What did you think of my loot from this break? What are your impressions of Upper Deck Artifacts? Let me know in the comments.