FREE Upper Deck NHL® Cards Available Throughout Canada and the USA for National Hockey Card Day this Saturday, January 18!

CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the past few weeks Upper Deck has been working in unison with the company's network of Certified Diamond Dealers, the NHL and the NHLPA to produce hundreds of thousands of new hockey packs that will not be sold to fans, but rather given away for FREE as a part of Upper Deck's National Hockey Card Day initiative. This year marks the sixth year Upper Deck has run this event as a way not only to thank existing collectors for their support, but more importantly, to encourage hockey fans, youngsters and lapsed collectors to enjoy the fun of opening a pack of new hockey cards. Fans throughout Canada and the United States simply need to visit a participating retailer on Saturday, January 18 to receive a free pack of Upper Deck's National Hockey Card Day cards featuring rookies, stars and legendary players.

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"Last year's abbreviated season provided hockey collectors with the unique opportunity of experiencing two season's worth of rookies in one year's worth of trading card products this year," said Josh Zusman, hockey brand manager for Upper Deck. "National Hockey Card Day affords Upper Deck the opportunity to share the excitement around the Double Rookie Class by providing fans with twice as many rookies as they normally find in these annual sets. The fact that fans can sample these cards for free and potentially pull a rare autograph card makes this an event that fans will not want to miss!"

Both Canada and the United States have their own themed National Hockey Card Day sets comprised of 20 cards each (10 rookies, five current stars and five legends). A special 21^st card is being offered as a gift with any $10 or more Upper Deck hockey card purchase. This exciting bonus card features two standout rookies from the Double Rookie Class. In addition, very limited autograph cards have randomly been inserted into some of the packs, which are sure to provide a thrill to any fan lucky enough to pull one. Many of the Upper Deck Certified Diamond Dealers are preparing for the event by running specials, fun promotions and giveaways to make the day memorable for everyone who walks through their doors. For a full listing of shops participating in both Canada and the United States, please visit www.upperdeck.com/nhcd.

Special eight-card sheets commemorating National Hockey Card Day will be available at select retailers in Canada such as London Drugs and Toys "R" Us. These sheets will also be available at the Hockey Hall-of-Fame and some other events throughout Canada, including select NHL® home games like the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, January 18. A smaller allotment of these eight-card sheets will be available in the United States through the New York Islanders, Defending the Blue Line charity and Operation Gratitude, who will distribute them to military families and personnel.

It should be an incredible day for hockey fans to race from shop to shop in an effort to put together their 2014 Upper Deck National Hockey Card Day set. Fans are encouraged to share their experiences on Upper Deck's National Hockey Card Day Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/NationalHockeyCardDay or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/UpperDeckHockey.

About Upper Deck

Upper Deck is the leading sports card and collectibles company, and produces some of the greatest gaming titles and motion picture trading cards. For more information on Upper Deck and its products please visit www.upperdeck.com.

About the NHL®

The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL® consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League's international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent, and access content through digital means more than any other sport. The NHL entertains more than 250 million fans each season in-arena and through its partners in national television (NBCSN, NBC, TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, and NHL Network™) and radio (NHL Radio™, Sirius XM Radio). Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer™ and NHL Youth Development, and supports the charitable efforts of NHL players. For more information on the NHL, log on to NHL.com.

Legal Disclaimer

No purchase necessary. Packs may be obtained by participating retailers only. Packs are limited to one pack per person. Packs are available while supplies last. Items are subject to change. Participating retailers may require contact information including full name, address, phone number, and email before packs may be distributed.

SOURCE Upper Deck