Toronto relaxes COVID-19 rink rules as winter activities move ‘toward normal’
Troy Aikman, center, and the rest of Troy “Ace” Adams’ line, as they skate at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit during the NHL regular season. (Troy Adams)
WATERLOO — The Troy “Ace” Adams Sports Arena is open and there are skaters.
Players skated at the arena at noon as the NHL postponed the next season’s Olympic and Winter Games. Adams, one of the longest tenured players in hockey in the country, knows how important those games are to players and fans.
Adams has been at Joe Louis Arena for the past 21 years, since the first day he learned about hockey on January 10, 1984.
At the rink, fans were able to watch the first day of NHL regular season game play, which is still in progress.
Adams, 61, has been in his current role for the past two decades.
During his career, Adams has been a part of over 300 regular season games at the Joe and has seen his role evolve from a line-player to an ambassador for the game.
“That’s what we do here at the arena,” Adams said. “That’s what we’re called to be here. We’re there to help the new guys learn and help the old guys. It’s great to see the fans there. It’s something I’ll never forget. They’ve never forgotten what it is to play at the JLA.”
Adams was born in Toronto, although his family moved to the United States when he was 2 years old.
He attended a high school in the United States and played in the Ontario Hockey League from 1977-81.
Adams played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1983 and in the International Hockey League in 1984-85 and 1985-86, while he continued to play in the Ontario Hockey League. He also spent some time in the United League before joining the Leafs as a free agent in 1985. He spent his professional career with the Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks.
Adams was named to the Ontario Hockey League’s all-star team in 1990-91.
Following his playing days, he worked as an assistant scout with the Leafs for 27 years and was part of
