CARDIFF,U.K- Gerad Adams is beginning his fourth season at the Elite league Cardiff Devils. During his tenure, he has found himself propelled into leadership. It could be argued that it has been forced upon him, but the fact that he is so often the man chosen to lead, suggests it is no coincidence.
A native of Regina, Saskatchewan, Adams began his UK career in 2001 with the London Knights. He arrived at Cardiff in 2005 and was
Gerad Adams (Photo by Mark Tredgold)
This summer, at just 30 years of age, Adams took the decision to end his playing career and take on coaching full time at the Devils. Has coaching always been his ultimate goal?
“It was always my aim to coach, but it’s definitely happened earlier than planned, the opportunity came along and I made the decision to take it,” Adams said. “Stepping on to the bench full time has definitely helped my coaching, I’m enjoying having one thing to focus on instead of trying to balance analysing a game and saying the right things to the players while thinking about what I have to do in my own game.”
As a player, Adams was aggressive and very physical whether punishing opposition forwards in the corners as a defenseman, or on the fore-check as a winger. However, his off-ice demeanour couldn’t be more different. He is softly spoken, relaxed and clearly thinks carefully about what he says. Nevertheless, he maintains a strong level of authority. Despite his calm persona, he is clearly passionate about coaching. None more so than when I ask him what he most enjoys about his new role?
“It has to be communicating to the players what I feel they need to do to improve their performance within the team, and then seeing it happen on the ice, It’s a great feeling,” Adams said. “Good communication is a vital part of coaching, If I can get the players to have a full understanding of what I want from each of them as well as how they can achieve it, we’ll have a better chance of success this season.”
“I also want to develop a culture where honesty is a priority amongst my players, which cannot be achieved without good communication,” Adams said. As a player Adams was a tireless worker, particularly when things were not going his teams way. He was the kind of player that could turn the tide, which is needed in every hockey team. Last season, the team’s performance hit a lull while Adams was out injured, so I was keen to ask him if he felt he had plugged the gap he has left as a player.
“I’ve built a team that I expect plenty of character from throughout, we’re extremely fortunate to have a team that is littered with strong characters, I’m expecting a lot from Derek Campbell and Mike Prpich in particular,” Adams said. “They are two guys we’ll be relying on to be a spark for our team when we need it, they’re both agitators and physical players but also fast skaters with a lot of skill.”
This year’s Devils team has Adams written all over it, but it’s also the kind of team Cardiff hockey fans want to see wear the Devils uniform, as Adams himself recognises. “Cardiff likes hard work in its hockey teams and its sport in general, I now live in Wales and it’s clear to me that it’s a characteristic its people demand out of its sportsmen, If you can win, that’s great but if you lose giving 100% you gain their respect,” Adams said.
However, this season Adams is coaching in a stable working environment that is capable of providing a platform for success for the first time as a coach. The ‘Next Generation’ era under new owner Matt Burge has already yielded exciting results off the ice. Adams is also delighted with the difference being part of a stable and ambitious club has helped his job.
“It’s made things a lot smoother, I have a great relationship with Matt, we communicate well and I have a lot of respect for him and what he has achieved,” Adams said “He listens with interest to everything everyone says.”
This new ambitious and conscientious culture at Cardiff has naturally raised the fans expectations for on ice success. Adams will no longer be seen as overachieving in difficult circumstances against the odds. It’s something he recognises.
“Matt has a three year plan for the organisation and to a degree I am working within that, of course we have to build for the future and this plan will hopefully coincide with a new arena which is an important part in our growth as an organisation.”
“However, we need to win now as well, In sports you are only as good and popular as your last game and there is always a high level of expectation for us to succeed in Cardiff and our aim has to be to win at least one championship every year,” Adams said.
Adams doesn’t give a lot away emotionally, but questioning him about the prospects for the Devils organisation and this year’s team clearly ignites a spark in him. He is passionate and has a steadfast belief in the potential for the Devils as a business and hockey club.
Adams is entering his second full season as Devils head coach after he took over from Ed Patterson mid-way through the 2006-07 season. As a player Adams career spanned 13 season’s which included two years on the Washington Capitals farm teams in the AHL and ECHL. As a junior he won the gold medal with team Saskatchewan at the Canada games. In the UK he has played for London Knights, Sheffield Steelers, Edinburgh Capitals, and Cardiff Devils. Contact the author at Aled.lloyd@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.