Adams to serve on Team USA advisory board for World Championship

Kevyn Adams will forever remember receiving the call from USA Hockey informing him he had made the team for the World Junior Championship in 1994. Adams had been cut by the national team time and time again to that point, making the honor of representing his country that much more special.
The Buffalo Sabres general manager received a similar phone call recently from John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. Vanbiesbrouck invited Adams to serve on the United States Men's National Team Advisory Group for the 2021 IIHF World Championship.

Adams will serve in the group alongside Stan Bowman (Chicago), Tom Fitzgerald (New Jersey), Jeff Gorton (New York Rangers), Bill Guerin (Minnesota), Lou Lamoriello (New York Islanders), David Poile (Nashville), Don Waddell (Carolina), and Bill Zito (Florida).
"In some ways it was even more special, to be honest with you," Adams said, referring to the call from Vanbiesbrouck. "… To grow up American and now be in this position and to be able to give back and be part of something, it is."

Adams and his fellow advisors will assist former Sabres forward Chris Drury, who will serve as the team's general manager. The group will lend support based on their own evaluations and philosophies as they pertain to the style of team Drury aims to build for the tournament.
The experience should also benefit Adams - described by colleagues as an avid learner - in his role as Sabres general manager. He will collaborate alongside an accomplished group of fellow NHL executives, opening the door to learn from their philosophies and experiences along the way.
"I think no matter who you're talking to and what type of conversation you're having, it's an opportunity to learn," Adams said. "So, when you look at that group of people and what they've accomplished in the game, I think it's just asking questions. What do they see? How do they value certain things? What do they put more importance on in some ways and other ways?
"I think that will help me. And then also just learning different styles. I like to ask questions and I like to listen and I'm going to be asking a lot of questions with that group and then wherever I can help, I will."
The tournament is scheduled to run from May 21 to June 6 in Riga, Latvia. For Adams, the best part may come sooner.
"One of the things that will be exciting will be to make those calls as you get closer to the World Championships," he said. "Those are great phone calls to make because it's a great honor to play for your country and something that anyone who grows up playing hockey dreams about."