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Quite a whirlwind day for Adam Oates. Not a few hours after it was confirmed that he would be the new head coach of the Washington Capitals, Oates was named as one of four inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2012, according to a tweet TSN's Bob McKenzie
Congrats to Joe Sakic, Mat Sundin, Adam Oates and Pavel Bure, Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2012. Surprised Brendan Shanahan didn't make it.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 26, 2012
After entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Red Wings, Oates spent the next 19 years as one of the most prolific centers in the NHL. Over his entire career, Oates recorded 1,063 assists, where he ranks 6th all time behind the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Ron Francis, Mark Messier, Ray Borque and Paul Coffey.
Oates played for the Capitals from 1997-2002, being named the captain of the team.
The Hockey Hall of Fame issued a press release confirming that Oates will indeed be one of the four members inducted on November 12.
Adams Oates played three seasons with RPI of the ECAC before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Red Wings in 1985. He went on to play 19 NHL seasons with seven teams, including four 100-plus point seasons. The sixth all-time NHL career leader in assists with 1,063, Oates retired in 2004.
"Growing up I was a guy who was kind of overlooked and I was fortunate to have the opportunity to go to RPI and have the time for my game to mature," said Oates. "This is a tremendous honour and I look back and realize how lucky I was to have great coaches to help me along the way."
Maybe Oates should go buy a lottery ticket today since his luck seems to be so good.
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