Adams was born in Seria, Brunei, but was raised in Calgary, Alberta, residing and playing hockey in the community of Lake Bonavista.

During the 2000–01 season, Adams would make his NHL debut on October 24, 2000 in a 3-2 loss against the San Jose Sharks with the Carolina Hurricanes, who had relocated from Hartford since drafting him.

[3] On November 10, 2000, Adams would score his first NHL goal and point against goaltender Glenn Healy in a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

During the 2001-02 season, Adams would split time between the Carolina Hurricanes and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Lowell Lock Monsters.

On August 25, 2005 he signed a contract with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, but was traded back to the Hurricanes on October 3, a few days before the 2005–06 NHL season began.

The Carolina Hurricanes would make the playoffs, defeating the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres to secure their spot in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Carolina would face the Edmonton Oilers in a series that would go to a game 7, which the Hurricanes would win, giving Adams his first Stanley Cup victory.