FORMER GRIFFIN KISSES STANLEY CUP
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich, - Carolina Hurricanes center Kevyn Adams, who appeared in every game for the Grand Rapids Griffins during their inaugural 1996-97 season, will become the third former Griffin in the last two seasons to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
Adams, an alternate captain, helped lead the Hurricanes to a 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 on Monday, joining Dmitry Afanasenkov and Darren Rumble of the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning as Griffins alumni whove won hockeys ultimate prize.
He played in every game for Carolina this season, including 25 playoff contests. During the regular season, he set career highs with 15 goals and 23 points in 82 games, and recorded the first two hat tricks of his NHL career.
Oddly, Adams only other hat trick as a pro came during his debut season with Grand Rapids, on March 15, 1997 at Van Andel Arena. He played in all 82 games during the Griffins first campaign, recording 22 goals and 25 assists and establishing himself as a solid two-way center. Adams signed with Toronto as a free agent the following summer, then spent time with Columbus and Florida before joining Carolina in a mid-season trade and helping the Hurricanes reach the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals.
Eight Grand Rapids players or coaches have hoisted the Stanley Cup prior to joining the organization, including current assistant coach Jim Paek (Pittsburgh 1991 and 1992), Danton Cole (New Jersey 1995), Manny Legace (Detroit 2002), Marty McSorley (Edmonton 1987 and 1988), Chris Osgood (Detroit 1997 and 1998), Pokey Reddick (Edmonton 1990), Blake Sloan (Dallas 1999), and Jason Williams (Detroit 2002).
Adams, an alternate captain, helped lead the Hurricanes to a 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 on Monday, joining Dmitry Afanasenkov and Darren Rumble of the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning as Griffins alumni whove won hockeys ultimate prize.
He played in every game for Carolina this season, including 25 playoff contests. During the regular season, he set career highs with 15 goals and 23 points in 82 games, and recorded the first two hat tricks of his NHL career.
Oddly, Adams only other hat trick as a pro came during his debut season with Grand Rapids, on March 15, 1997 at Van Andel Arena. He played in all 82 games during the Griffins first campaign, recording 22 goals and 25 assists and establishing himself as a solid two-way center. Adams signed with Toronto as a free agent the following summer, then spent time with Columbus and Florida before joining Carolina in a mid-season trade and helping the Hurricanes reach the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals.
Eight Grand Rapids players or coaches have hoisted the Stanley Cup prior to joining the organization, including current assistant coach Jim Paek (Pittsburgh 1991 and 1992), Danton Cole (New Jersey 1995), Manny Legace (Detroit 2002), Marty McSorley (Edmonton 1987 and 1988), Chris Osgood (Detroit 1997 and 1998), Pokey Reddick (Edmonton 1990), Blake Sloan (Dallas 1999), and Jason Williams (Detroit 2002).
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