The Hockey Heroes insert set has been an integral part of the Upper Deck NHL release each year, but it had grown a little tired and become redundant for collectors. So the hockey team worked to come up with a new way to deliver the set to collectors. We felt it was time to eliminate the single-player structure in favor of a more compelling theme in order to deliver a collection of hockey’s greatest legends spanning four decades over the next two years. The players who are not deceased will also have hard-signed autograph variations of their cards.

In 2011-12 NHL Upper Deck Series One that arrives in stores next week, puck fans can begin finding a collection of 12 NHL legends from the 1950’s. The complete 1950’s Hockey Heroes set features the 12 standard player cards plus a scarce painted “art” card featuring Gordie Howe, Andy Bathgate and Bobby Hull as well as a rare header card. Furthermore, 10 of the 12 players have rare on-card autograph variations (each card is hand numbered to 15). The piece de resistance is the triple-signed painted “art” card (10 hand numbered copies were produced).

For 2011-12 NHL Upper Deck Series Two, the focus of Hockey Heroes will cover the decade of the 1960’s with another 12 cards featured alongside on-card signed variations and another multi-player, on-card signature painted “art” card. Collectors should note that the checklist for these 1960’s Hockey Heroes cards will run from HH13-HH25 for continuity to the set building experience.

Look for the 1970’s and 1980’s decades to be covered in 2012-13 NHL Upper Deck Series One and Two respectively. In the meantime, enjoy a gallery of all the autograph cards in this season’s Series One set.