Portland, ME—For about two weeks after the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles were eliminated from the QMJHL playoffs in late March, Buffalo Sabres prospect Luke Adam was hangin’ loose away from the ice. Before he could get too comfortable though, the Sabres and Portland Pirates came calling. Adam now finds himself thrust into the 2010 Calder Cup Playoffs for his first taste of professional hockey.

“For sure (the two weeks off) gave me a good rest period,” said Adam after the Pirates’ 3-1 loss to the Manchester Monarchs on Saturday night in Game Two of the Atlantic Division Semifinals. “Once I got here I’ve been on the ice, doing steady conditioning and weight training, and (tonight) I felt good out there.”

“I was a little nervous going into the game, but the guys who have been here all season made it a lot easier on me. They’ve shown a lot of support the whole week helping me out.”

Adam, Buffalo’s second round selection in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, certainly didn’t look out of place on Saturday night. Adam registered the first shot of the game for the Portland Pirates and nearly picked up his first AHL assist in the second period.

“I thought he had real good patience out there,” said Pirates Head Coach Kevin Dineen. “I think he showed some of his strong skill set. I like the way he handled the puck and I like the way he competes.”

Adam, 19, was signed by the Buffalo Sabres to a three-year entry-level contract back on Apr. 13. He will finish this season with the Pirates on an AHL amateur tryout, and his NHL contract will begin next season.

“(In Junior) he’s been a goal scorer all year,” added Dineen. “It’s a tough time to matriculate somebody into the professional game, but there’s nothing like getting thrown right into (the action).”

Luke Adam has hockey in his DNA. His father, Russ Adam, was a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization playing briefly with the Leafs in 1982-83.

“(My dad) helped me out a lot,” he said. “For sure he was there to give me pointers whenever I needed them. Without my mom and my dad I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Adam has also been recognized by his childhood community. He was selected as the Sport Newfoundland and Labrador’s senior male athlete of the year for 2009.

“To win a provincial award like that is pretty cool,” said the St. John’s, Newfoundlander. We’ve got a lot of great athletes coming out of Newfoundland. It’s a huge honor.”

Adam played for Canada at the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championships, tallying eight points (four goals, four assists) in six games. He finished his season in Cape Breton with 49 goals and 41 assists for the Screaming Eagles, and was a finalist for the QMJHL MVP award.