Adams played at Miami University and was drafted in the 1st Round, 25th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Adams has also played for the Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Toronto Maple Leafs. His best season was 2000-01 when he had 29 points.

 

The Carolina Hurricanes acquired Adams, Bret Hedican, and Tomas Malec on January 16, 2002 from the Panthers for Sandis Ozolinsh and Byron Ritchie. During the NHL lockout season in 2004-05, Adams played a short stint for the DEG Metro Stars in Düsseldorf, Germany. On January 8th, 2007 he was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Dennis Seidenberg. On August 11th, 2007, Adams was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for Radim Vrbata.