Icehawks sign veteran trio, including Adams

The Port Huron Icehawks announced the signing of B.J. Adams for the 2007-2008 season Friday. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound defenseman will also serve as the team’s assistant coach.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Adams played four years of collegiate hockey at Bowling Green State University before turning pro for the tail end of the 1999-2000 season with the Milwaukee Admirals. He spent the next three seasons in the East Coast Hockey League and then joined the United Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs in 2003. After stints in Toledo (ECHL) and Odessa (Central Hockey League), Adams came to Port Huron with the Flags last season and played under current head coach Stan Drulia.

“B.J. was without a doubt our steadiest defenseman last year,” Drulia said. “He plays against the No. 1 line every night and we rely heavily on him during the penalty kill. He is also a great team leader and he will be instrumental in our recruiting process this summer.”

Adams suffered a shoulder injury last season that required surgery in the off-season, but still played through the injury during Port Huron’s playoff run last season. He is expected to be fully recovered in time for the upcoming season.

Adams is the third player to sign with the Icehawks since the newly reformed International Hockey League announced that hockey will return to Port Huron. Adams joins defenseman Mark DeSantis and center Kris Vernarsky.