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Boston Bruins: Happy Birthday Adam Oates!

By Andrew Thompson

Apr 4, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New Jersey Devils co- coach Adam Oates (L) and president and general manager Lou Lamoriello look on during the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Devils 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New Jersey Devils co- coach Adam Oates (L) and president and general manager Lou Lamoriello look on during the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Devils 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Happy 54th Birthday to former Boston Bruins powerhouse and Hall of Famer Adam Oates.

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Adam Oates has had a prolific career in the National Hockey League. He was one of those rare players that made every team he played on a better team. Oates could go down in hockey history as being one of the best undrafted players ever to make it into the NHL.

Oates got into the NHL on pure determination and belief in his own skills.  He played three seasons at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, helping the Engineers go 85-19-1. RPI won the NCAA championship in 1985. Oates set school records for assists and points while in college as well.

On February 7, 1992 Oates was traded to the Boston Bruins.  He finished with a career high 142 points during the 92-93 season. During the 1993 All-Star game, Oates tallied four assists in a single period.

For a time, he was the second-highest point producer in the league. The only person in the NHL that put up more points than him was Wayne Gretzky.

“I think a lot of people take what he does for granted. He does it in a quiet way. He’s not a flashy guy. He’s not looking for attention, he just goes out and does it. He’s the best centerman I’ve been around. I never knew he was this good playing against him because I didn’t see him this much.” – Ray Bourque on Adam Oates

He was a five time All Star player during his career. He was the 47th player in NHL history to score 1,000 career points (and was the 15th fastest to do it).   He led the NHL in assists for three years, and finished in the top ten in assists for twelve years.

Oates bounced around the league during his NHL career. He played for the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks (once the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim), and the Edmonton Oilers.

Oates hung up the skates at the end of the 2003-04 season. His overall career totals were 1,420 points (341 goals) in 1,337 NHL games. At the time of his retirement, he was fifth for the most assists by a NHL player (1,079). He was part of the Hockey Hall of Fame class in 2012.

Oates went on to coaching positions with the Washington Capitals and the New Jersey Devils. Any time there is an open coaching position in Boston, Adam Oates‘ name is usually in the mix.  Perhaps he’ll get a job with the B’s in the near future.

Happy Birthday to one of the best players to ever wear the spoked ‘B’ for Boston.

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