Taking Flight - You Don't Know Jack

Right wing Jack Adams was drafted by the Red Wings in the sixth round, 162nd overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-5, 204-pound Boston native, is one of four Red Wings prospects writing for our Taking Flight blog series, which chronicles the players' ups and downs as they work their way to becoming Red Wings. Adams is a sophomore at Union College, which is a member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Here is his third blog entry of, 'You Don't Know Jack.'

• https://www.nhl.com/player/john-adams-8480239

You Don't Know Jack - Entry 3

        by Jack Adams<br>As my 22nd birthday is approaching, I've been reflecting on all the scenarios I've encountered in my life. There's been some good, some bad, but that's normal. Yet, throughout it all, there's been one thought I've always come back to: Keep moving forward.<br>As I move forward, I always remember my past and the challenges I have faced. It's constant motivation to improve as a person, athlete, friend - you can always be better. How you respond to adversity, the tough moments, that's what defines you as a person.<br>When I look at moving forward, I tend to look at some of my role models. I might be considered a "biased, Boston sports fan" among my peers, but Tom Brady's story has had a tremendous impact on my life. Tom was under-recruited, overlooked, skinny, and didn't have the opportunity to lead his college team until midway through his senior year at the University of Michigan. And above all, Tom was a sixth-round draft pick. From a sixth-round pick to a six-time Super Bowl champion, it's truly remarkable and humbling for me to have witnessed first-hand his success in New England. However, what's more admirable to me is who Tom is as a human being. I was fortunate enough to meet Tom at a fundraiser in Boston, and the poise and kindness he possessed was eye-opening for me. And his relentless persistence defines him. Tom <em>Never. Gives. Up.</em><br>Over the past few months, my biggest transformation as a person has been how well I treat people. It sounds cliché but <em>better</em> people receive <em>better</em> results. Whenever I'm struggling, I think of my brother's kindness and contagious smile, and it helps guide me forward, even as I try to accomplish my goals.<br>Finally, my friend John Buccigross at ESPN, who has aided me weekly throughout the past months, offered me perspective that stands out - "Faith is the word I think about the most now. It's the glue to love and life. Faith, hope, love, joy, patience, goodness, kindness and faithfulness. That's what I pray for all day long. I connect better with people and believe it will result in deeper, lasting relationships."<br>So perseverance, and persistence, always couched in kindness, seem to be goals worth striving for - in addition to putting pucks in a net!<br><em>In 25 games this season with the Dutchmen, Adams has 15 points, including seven goals. He has scored two game winning goals and his plus-13 leads his team.</em>