Adams to join NHL's top pick in Chicago

Kevyn Adams

Looks like the NHL's Buffalo born top draft pick will have some local reinforcements when he takes to the ice for the first time in the Windy City.

Clarence native Kevyn Adams was traded from the Phoenix Coyotes to the Chicago Blackhawks this past Saturday, placing the veteran center on the sixth team of his 10-year NHL career. Chicago acquired Adams in exchange for forward Radim Vrbata.

Adams brings veteran leadership and Stanley Cup experience to the Blackhawks, who finished the 2006-07 season 13th in the Western Conference. Adams won a Stanley Cup in 2006 as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes, the team with which he began last season. Adams was traded from Carolina to Phoenix just about halfway through the season.

Adams' experience and savvy will surely help fellow Western New York native Patrick Kane acclimate himself to life as a professional athlete. Kane, a South Buffalo product, was selected first by the Blackhawks in the 2007 draft earlier this summer.

Chicago opens the 2007-08 season Thursday, Oct. 4 at the Minnesota Wild. The Blackhawks will visit HSBC Arena at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 in their only trip of the season to Buffalo.