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Adam Oates

Born:August 27, 1962Draft:Undrafted
Hometown:Weston, OntarioPosition:C
Known For:1,000 AssistsShoots:Right
National Team:N/A

Adam Robert Oates (born August 27, 1962) is a Canadian former 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 League (NHL) for the Detroit Red WingsSt. Louis BluesBoston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia FlyersAnaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers. Known as an elite playmaker, Oates’ career total of 1,079 assists was the fifth-highest total in NHL history at the time of his 2004 retirement.

After retiring as a player, Oates served as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils prior to joining the Capitals as their head coach for two seasons, from 2012 to 2014. In 2017, Oates was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history.

Adam Oates
MONTREAL 1990’s: Adam Oates #12 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Montreal Canadiens in the early 1990’s at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images)

Adam Oates Statistics

Trade Tracker

DateTraded FromTraded WithTraded ToTraded For
June 15, 1989Detroit Red WingsPaul MacLeanSt. Louis BluesBernie Federko
Tony McKegney
February 7, 1992St. Louis BluesBoston BruinsCraig Janney
Stephane Quintal
March 1, 1997Boston BruinsBill Ranford
Rick Tocchet
Washington CapitalsThird-Round Pick
(Lee Goren)
Jason Allison
Jim Carey
Anson Carter
March 19, 2002Washington CapitalsPhiladelphia FlyersFirst-Round Pick
(Martin Vagner)
Third-Round Pick
(Derek Krestanovich
Maxime Ouellet

Deeper Dive

Achievements

  • All-ECAC First Team — 1985
  • All-ECAC Second Team — 1984
  • AHCA East First Team All-America — 1984, 1985
  • All-NCAA Tournament Team — 1985
  • NHL Second Team All-Star — 1991
  • NHL All-Star Game — 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1997
  • Led NHL in Assists — 1993, 2001, 2002
  • Led NHL in Game-Winning Goals — 1993
  • Inducted Into Hockey Hall of Fame — 2012

Sources