2008-09
2008-09 Ultra Hockey Hobby Box
hockey
Rookies
Other releases of Ultra
Frequently asked
Who's 2008-09 Ultra for?
The deep end. People buy this chasing top rookie patch autos and legend signatures, and the price reflects it.
What are the key rookies in 2008-09 Ultra?
The headliners are Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, and Claude Giroux. Other notable rookies include Alex Pietrangelo, Blake Wheeler, James Neal, Luke Schenn, Jakub Voracek, T.J. Oshie, Kyle Turris, and Zach Bogosian. Many were issued as Rookie Redemptions and fulfilled after their official NHL debuts.
What makes Jambalaya so special in this set?
2008-09 marks the first time Jambalaya appeared in a hockey product. With its distinctive die-cut elliptical design and textured foil, these cards instantly became some of the most sought-after inserts in the sport. They pull at 1:864 packs and are considered case hits.
How do the Essential Credentials parallels work?
There are three tiers. The base Essential Credentials is an unnumbered acetate version of the EX card. The Red version is serial-numbered to 99 or less, and the Green version is serial-numbered to the player's jersey number, creating uniquely low print runs for stars wearing low numbers like Crosby or Ovechkin.
What's the difference between Gold and Ice Medallion parallels?
Gold Medallions fall one per pack with a shimmering full-bleed gold foil finish and are unnumbered. Ice Medallions are serial-numbered to /100 and have a frosty premium look. Both appear on regular cards, rookies, and redemptions.
How often do you pull autographs in a box?
Fresh Ink autographs are inserted at 1:288 packs, which works out to roughly one per case (12 boxes). They're on-card in many cases and add hobby value to an otherwise insert-focused product.
What other inserts should I know about?
Beyond Jambalaya and Essential Credentials, the set includes Scoring Kings (1:6 packs), Difference Makers (1:6 packs), Franchise Players (1:12 packs), Season Crowns (1:12 packs), and EX Hockey (1:8 packs). Each brings foil accents and strong photography.
Is this a good value product?
Yes. 2008-09 Ultra is positioned as an accessible, value-driven option for set builders and rookie collectors. The combination of a strong rookie class, colorful design, fun parallel chases, and the historic Jambalaya debut makes it a solid entry point without breaking the bank.
When did 2008-09 Ultra come out?
It dropped October 20, 2008.
What's in a 2008-09 Ultra hobby box?
24 packs per box, 8 cards per pack
What's the cheapest 2008-09 Ultra hobby box right now?
Cheapest we're tracking is $299.99 CAD. Prices update daily, and the trend arrow on this page shows which way it's been moving.
Where can I buy 2008-09 Ultra?
We track listings across the major North American card shops and surface the best price up top. The Buy on eBay links go through the eBay Partner Network.
| Format | In USAUSD | In CanadaCAD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobby Box |  |
$300 | ||
| Blaster Box |  |
$50 | ||
| Retail Box |  |
$85 | ||
These are the best prices we could find for this product across the 5 retailers we follow for 2008-09 Ultra, checked daily. Prices move constantly and stock sells out; always confirm on the retailer’s own page before buying.
2008-09 Ultra Hockey
2008-09 Fleer Ultra is a colorful, rookie-heavy set built around a strong class headlined by Steven Stamkos, Drew Doughty, and Claude Giroux. It's known for fun parallel chases and the debut of Jambalaya inserts in hockey, making it a solid value pick for set builders and rookie hunters.
Autographs
2 Autographs per box on average
On average per hobby box
- 6 Ultra Rookies cards
- 1 Rookie Redemption card
- 2 Game-Used Jersey or Autograph cards
- 24 Gold Medallion Parallel cards (1 per pack)
Inserts to watch
- Jambalaya 1 in 864 packs The marquee insert and hockey debut of this iconic die-cut set, featuring superstars like Crosby, Ovechkin, and Kane. Considered case hits and grails for insert collectors.
- Essential Credentials Red Acetate parallel of EX base cards, serial-numbered to 99 or less (varies by player). Sleek, foil-layered design with unique numbering tied to jersey numbers.
- Essential Credentials Green Acetate parallel serial-numbered to the player's jersey number, creating ultra-low print runs for stars wearing low numbers. Extremely tough to complete.
- Ice Medallion Serial-numbered parallel to /100 with a frosty premium finish. Available on regular cards, rookies, and redemptions.
- EX Hockey 1 in 8 packs Short-printed acetate insert set with foil accents and strong photography of current stars and breakout talent.
- Scoring Kings 1 in 6 packs Themed insert highlighting offensive leaders with foil accents and Ultra styling.
Fast facts
- Released
- October 20, 2008
- Box config
- 24 packs per box, 8 cards per pack
- Set size
- 271 cards
- Top rookie
- Claude Giroux