This National Hockey League Standard Player's Contract between the Edmonton World Hockey Enterprises Ltd. and Paul Coffey was signed on September 12, 1980, just prior to the 1980-81 NHL season, Coffey's rookie year.  Coffey was drafted 6th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.  He started the 1980-81 NHL season with the Oilers on October 10, 1980, just one month after this contract was consumated.

Coffey is second to only Ray Bourque in all-time goals 396, assists 1135 and points 1531 scored by a defenseman. These incredible totals rank him 5th on the all-time assist list and as the 10th highest scoring player in league history at the time of this writing. Coffey’s playoff acumen is no less impressive having tallied nearly 200 career playoff points, which also places him among the all-time elite. Coffey has (8) 1st or 2nd team NHL All Star selections to his credit. He played in an astounding 14 NHL All Star games. His hardware includes 3 Norris trophies as leagues best defenseman and 4 Stanley Cup championships. Paul is considered one of the game’s all-time greats and was so recognized in the now revered ‘The Hockey News’ book which ranked the 50 greatest players in NHL history. Paul was honored as the 28th greatest player in NHL history in that publication.

The part he played in the Edmonton Oilers dynasty was invaluable and helped form the deadliest offensive machine ever put on the ice. His single season record for a defenseman of 48 goals, recorded in 1985-86 will likely never be topped. Paul was one of the league’s finest skaters and images of him gliding down the ice wearing his Oilers garb won’t soon be forgotten. He is a most deserving Hall of Famer and one of the finest offensive weapons in the games history.

Coffey joined the Penguins for the 1987-88 season. He immediately improved their goal production playing point man on their power play. In Coffey’s 2nd season with the Pens, he put up one of the finest offensive seasons of his career. In 75 games that year, Coffey tabbed 30 goals and 83 assists for an astounding 113 points showing that he could do it equally as well away from the high powered Oilers. After winning a Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh, Coffey moved onto the Kings for a short time before joining the Red Wings midway thru the 1992-93 season.  After 3 more seasons with the Wings, Coffey played for five more NHL teams while his career was winding down.

This amazing rookie contract shows a base salary of $60,000 for Paul's rookie season and $70,000 for his sophmore campaign.  Seasons 3 and 4 were "to be arbitrated".  There is also a section in case Paul did not make the big club, with his salary dropping for his first two seasons to $35,000 per season.  Fortunately for Paul, this didn't happen as he showed his extraordinary talent right out of the gate.  An addendum is attached on the back of the contract with Pre Performance Bonuses or, as known today, signing bonuses.  Paul received $50,000 at the signing of the contract, another $15,000 on September 1, 1981 and $10,000 on September 1, 1982.  The contract and the addendum are signed by witnesses, president and general manager Glen Sather and Paul Coffey.  NHL commissioner John Zeigler also signed the contract.  An incredible item for any Coffey or Oilers dynasty collector.