Sea Captains defenseman Adams makes ACHA Commitment

The Norwich Sea Captains of the North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL) are thrilled to announce that defenseman Sam Adams has committed to attend Colorado State University this fall to continue his academic and hockey careers. Adams signed as a free agent with the Sea Captains during the summer or 2023. During his lone season in Norwich, Adams appeared in 31 games, missing a chunk of time in the middle of the season due to a shoulder injury. The smooth skating defenseman scored two goals and dished out six assists to total eight points. The 2004 Longmont, Colorado native will major in Economics and play for the Rams’ American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I program.

Adams netted his first junior hockey goal in his first game in a Norwich uniform. His goal opened the scoring in a 5-1 win over the Long Beach Sharks on September 23. Adams tallied an assist in Norwich’s next game, a 4-0 win over the New Hampshire Mountain Kings on September 29. His second goal of the season was a big one, as it knotted the game in the first period of what ended as a 4-1 loss to the Northeast Generals on December 15. He recorded an assist in his first game back after missing more than a month due to a shoulder injury in the Sea Captains 5-2 win over the Danbury Jr Hat Tricks on January 24. Adams appeared in four of Norwich’s five Fraser Cup Playoff games helping the team reach the East Division Finals for the first time in team history.

“I chose Colorado State because I really wanted to play for a team in my home state and be able to have my family and friends watch me play college hockey. Norwich was the best possible place for me to play my junior hockey. The practices and how everything was run both on and off the ice created a great atmosphere. Norwich gave me the opportunity to improve my game and prepared me to play college hockey. I am thankful for the support and encouragement that I received from my teammates and coaches throughout the season,” explained Adams about his college decision and his time with the Sea Captains.

Head Coach Kevin Cunningham shared his excitement for Adams saying, “I am thrilled for Sam, and his family, that he will have the opportunity to return to Colorado to attend CSU and be a part of the Rams’ hockey program. Sam had a strong season for us, playing his best hockey down the stretch of the regular season and during the playoffs. He persevered through his mid-season injury and finished the year on a high note. His ability and desire to continue to improve every day will serve him well at Colorado State and I look forward to following his successes at the collegiate level.”

Adams becomes the sixth member of the 2023-24 Norwich Sea Captains to announce his college commitment. He joins teammates Erik Masengill (Maryville University), Jameson Bain (Western Michigan University), Sava Makarenko (Oswego State) Brian Essing (Manhattanville University), and Chris Hamilton (Western Connecticut State University) in advancing to college hockey next season. 

Click here for an updated NA3HL to College commitment list