His professional career began in International Hockey League with the Toledo Goaldiggers before he moved to the Fort Wayne Komets.

He began the 1988–89 season with Ligue Magnus side Briançon but in October joined the Nottingham Panthers in the British Hockey League.

He scored 11 goals and earned 12 assists in 29 games for the Steelers, helping the club to a Grand Slam of all four cups.

Following his retirement as a player in 2001, Adey returned to Nottingham as a coach under director of hockey Alex Dampier.

A statement released by Belfast Giants said 'that Adey and general manager Todd Kelman had failed to come to an agreement for next season and mutually decided to part ways'.