He attended Phillips Exeter Academy and graduated from Harvard where he played Goaltender on the varsity team.
[1] In 1932 he became president of the Canadian American Hockey League farm team, the Boston Tigers.
[2] In 1936, Adams became majority owner and team president of the Bruins when his father transferred his stock to him, Art Ross, and Ralph Burkard.
[2] During World War II, Adams served the United States Navy from January 1942 to May 1946, eventually working his way up to the rank of commander.
The team's struggled during the first few seasons under the Garden-Arena Corporation, until Adams took on a more proactive role in player procurement.
Upon regaining control of the team, Adams worked to rebuild Boston's farm system.
He fostered strong working relationships with powerful junior clubs, including the Niagara Falls Flyers and the Estevan Bruins, which could develop and supply players.
[2] On March 31, 1969, he was succeeded as team president by his son, Weston Adams, Jr.[5] He remained on as chairman of the board until 1973.