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. Last season, Adams was a sophomore at Union College, which is a member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). Here is his tenth blog entry of, 'You Don't Know Jack.'

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

You Don't Know Jack - Entry 10

        by Jack Adams<br>What seemed to be a harmless hit to the side of my knee during the Red and White game at development camp on June 29th, 2019, has ended up changing my life forever. After trainer Piet Van Zant drove me to Comerica Park from Little Caesars Arena to have the Detroit Tigers doctors weigh in on my MRI, I remember sitting in the Tigers medical room waiting for my MRI results, thinking that I may have sprained my knee or hyperextended it. Unfortunately, the Tigers doctor revealed that I fully tore my ACL and MCL. I just remember sitting there, crying with my dad, saying, "it's going to be a long road …" Boy, was I right, it's been a long road, but <em>for the better</em>.<br>I can sit here today and say I feel great. I'm able to train six days a week and get on the ice 3-4 times a week, focusing mainly on technique and establishing correct muscle memory. While it's been challenging to be away from my teammates at Union College, being home has allowed me to prioritize other aspects in my life that I wasn't able to before. While being away from home the past four years in the USHL and in college, I have not been able to spend as much time with my family as most people have. But, that is the case for most of my teammates as well. My schedule is the exact same most days. A coach and I are on the ice from 9-10:30, then I head to Mike Boyles' Strength & Conditioning, where I work out from 11:30-1 and cap it off with a soft tissue massage at 1:00 at the same facility. And as I mentioned earlier, this experience has allowed me to experience things I haven't been able to do in a long time. My dad drives me to every workout and skate, allowing us to extend our amazing relationship, and my mother and I spend hours and hours together at home. My brother and sister and I have been able to hang out weekly, which means the world to me. And lastly, I've been able to get dinner with my grandmother once a week since September. Not to mention, she was asked to be in a Disney movie that premieres next year. For fun and games, she decided to audition for an acting gig at a studio in downtown Boston. She did so well that the producers asked her to be in the future movie "God-mothered." She's pushing 80, but it's safe to say - she's still got it.<br>Instagram from @j\_2adams: Big step this week, almost there! #Patience #RA4 #Hanson4Hobey<br>I was also able to help coach at my alma mater, Malden Catholic, where I was fortunate enough to win two state championships.. While we fell short of our ultimate goal of winning the state championship, it was a great experience hanging out and getting to know the kids every day. As you all know, hockey players and coaches have nicknames, so I'd like to give a shout out to Merry, Babs, Noons, Chutey, Curtis, Baz, Monte, Jules, Ray and Johnny Vater, you all will hold a special place in my heart forever, and I'll always do everything I can to help you guys! Love you all.<br>The message is simple. Try and turn a "negative" into a <em>positive</em>.<br>I thought my career was over when I was sitting in the Tigers locker room, but I proved myself wrong. An ACL recovery is so physically and mentally challenging. But, the finish line is right there, and I can't wait to show the fans in Detroit what I can do in June.<br>I would be remiss if I did not offer my condolences to all the families involved in the tragedy that involved Kobe and Gigi Bryant. I've been thinking and praying about it <em>all the time</em>.<br>Unfortunately, I know what it is like to experience sudden death. It's the worst possible thing that any family can go through, and I hope that we can learn to live in the moment and enjoy every second we have together.<br>Until next time.<br><em>On June 29, the last day of Red Wings Development Camp, Adams tore his ACL and MCL on a seemingly harmless check during the Red and White Game. After surgery, he is now on the road to recovery, but he will not be playing for Union College this season. With Adams in an intensive rehab regimen, his blog entries will generally focus on his recovery as he continues to pursue his goal of someday being a Detroit Red Wing.</em>