Colorado Avalanche Player Laminates Contract Extension to Preserve It From Future Wear and Tear
In a move that has taken both the sports world and the office supply industry by surprise, Colorado Avalanche forward, Max Peterson, has gone above and beyond to ensure that his newly signed contract extension remains in pristine condition. With a meticulous eye for detail and a flair for the unexpected, Peterson has laminated his contract, an act that has raised eyebrows, sparked debates, and started conversations in locker rooms across the NHL.
Max Peterson, a power forward known for his bruising style of play and occasional flashes of brilliance, had just signed a lucrative five-year extension with the Colorado Avalanche worth $35 million. On paper, the deal was a straightforward business transaction, one that reflected Peterson’s growth as a player and his importance to the team’s future. But for Peterson, this was more than just a piece of paper. This was the manifestation of years of hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance—and it deserved to be preserved.
“I’ve had a lot of contracts in my career, and honestly, they all sort of end up in a drawer somewhere,” Peterson explained with a wry smile as he sat in front of his locker, proudly displaying his laminated contract. “But this one? This one’s special. I’m not taking any chances with this one. This one’s going on the wall, where it belongs.”
It all started one quiet evening at home, when Peterson was staring at his contract extension, freshly signed and ready to be framed. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist, Peterson couldn’t help but notice the small imperfections in the document: the possibility of a coffee stain, the slight crinkle from an accidental fold during the signing, the edge that might fray over time. He knew that such things, while insignificant to most, could mar the pristine nature of the agreement.
“I know it’s probably over the top,” Peterson admitted. “But I was looking at the contract, and I thought, why not take extra precautions? I mean, I’ve got my jersey hanging up in the rafters at some point, right? But this contract? This is my future. And I’m not going to let anything ruin it.”
What started as a simple thought soon turned into a mission. Peterson called his agent, Dave “The Dagger” McCauley, who had negotiated the extension, and asked if it was possible to have the contract laminated. McCauley, initially baffled by the request, took the matter up with the team’s legal department, who, after some back-and-forth discussions, finally agreed that nothing in the contract prohibited such an act. The legal team even suggested that Peterson use a high-quality, heat-sealed laminate to ensure durability.
The following morning, Peterson walked into a local Office Depot with a folded contract tucked into his bag. As he approached the counter, the employees were taken aback by the sight of an NHL player requesting something that was, frankly, not part of the average customer’s transaction.
“I need this laminated,” Peterson said, placing the contract onto the counter with a flourish. “It’s really important, you see. It’s my future.”
The employee behind the counter, a die-hard Denver Broncos fan named Jeremy, blinked twice before nodding, unsure of how to proceed. “Uh, sure thing. We’ve got a couple of options for laminating. Standard or heavy-duty?”
“Heavy-duty, of course,” Peterson responded without hesitation. “I want it to last.”
For the next several hours, Peterson watched as the contract was carefully encased in a sheet of heavy-duty laminate. It was, in a sense, a work of art—his name, his signature, the numbers, and clauses preserved beneath a flawless sheen. The laminated contract was not just a piece of paper anymore; it was a tangible symbol of Peterson’s rise through the ranks of the NHL.
As news of Peterson’s unusual request spread, the media latched onto the story with their usual fervor. Headline after headline flashed across screens, some mocking the player’s eccentricity, others praising his commitment to safeguarding his future. In a press conference held a week later, Peterson addressed the rumors head-on.
“Look, I get it. It’s funny to some people,” Peterson said with a smile. “But this is my career. This contract means everything to me. It’s not just a deal—it’s a record of all the work I’ve put in. I’m not just going to fold it up and stuff it in a drawer like every other piece of paperwork.”
A local sports talk radio host, Hank “The Hammer” McAllister, chimed in on the broadcast. “Honestly, I think we should all start laminating our contracts. If it’s good enough for Max Peterson, it’s good enough for me! I’m gonna laminate my salary agreement with my cable provider just to make sure I get good service for the next three years.”
But Peterson’s decision was far from a mere act of vanity. It became a symbol of his professionalism and his unwavering commitment to his craft. His teammates, although initially amused, soon began to appreciate the gesture in their own way.
“Honestly, I didn’t get it at first,” said Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, chuckling. “But the more I thought about it, the more I respected it. Max is putting his money where his mouth is. He’s serious about his career, and he’s showing us all that he’s got a plan for the long term. We could all learn something from that.”
In fact, Peterson’s actions soon became a trend within the locker room. A few days later, defenseman Cale Makar arrived with a laminated copy of his contract as well. Then, forward Mikko Rantanen followed suit. Before long, several members of the Colorado Avalanche were proudly displaying laminated versions of their own contracts, taking a quirky stand for professionalism.
The trend didn’t stop there. Other NHL teams began to take notice, with a few players from rival organizations showing interest in the idea. One rumor even suggested that the Montreal Canadiens’ star forward, Jonathan Drouin, had considered having his contract laminated but ultimately opted to have it printed on an indestructible material, just to one-up Peterson’s idea.
As the season wore on, Peterson’s laminated contract became an unofficial mascot for the team. It was displayed proudly in the Avalanche’s locker room, a testament to the care and foresight that Peterson had put into his career. Fans even started bringing laminated copies of their tickets to games, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man who had made a seemingly absurd gesture into a defining statement of his commitment.
“I think I started something,” Peterson said with a chuckle during an interview late in the season. “Maybe it’s a little weird, but I’m happy with it. It’s a constant reminder to me that this is more than just a game. This is my life, and I’m going to protect it.”
And so, the Colorado Avalanche entered the 2025 season with a new sense of determination and pride—spurred on by a laminated contract, an unexpected symbol of a player’s commitment to the long road ahead. Peterson’s quirky move had transformed into a lasting legacy, a reminder that sometimes, even in the world of elite athletes, the smallest details can make the biggest impact.