Adam Oates
Adam Oates
Adam Robert Oatesis a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, former co-head coach for the New Jersey Devils and former head coach for the Washington Capitals. He played 19 seasons in the National Hockey Leaguefor the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Edmonton Oilers. Known as an elite playmaker, his career total of 1,079 assists was the fifth highest total in NHL history at the time of his 2004...
NationalityCanadian
ProfessionHockey Player
Date of Birth27 August 1962
CountryCanada
I grew up trying to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, not Team Canada. Didn't even know it existed.
Growing up as a kid my father was British and a soccer player. His idol was a guy that passed the ball a lot, Stanley Matthews. Our family thought if you could be unselfish your teammates would always like you.
I was a punk. I think that's why I'm such a good person now, because I was such a bad guy then.
I went to the Hall of Fame with my dad. I can't say I really remember too much about it.
You eat and sleep it all day long and play on the streets until mom calls you in. My story is no different than anybody else's.
I was 19 years old, pumping gas and going nowhere. I was kind of a high school dropout at that point because I had left school to play hockey, but no one drafted me.