Adam Nightingale: Earning the A
11/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 4, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - A funny thing happened on the way to Michigan State for Adam Nightingale.
After sitting out last year after transferring from Lake Superior State and watching his younger brother, Jared, on the ice as a freshman defenseman for the Spartans, Adam received a nice little gesture from head coach Rick Comley: The letter A. This letter was not for deciphering between him and Jared. Rather, it was for the front of Adam's jersey.
The honor of being selected as an assistant captain for the Michigan State hockey team could not occur to a better individual than Nightingale. Suffering through a 2002-03 season where lacing up his skates for a regular-season game was out of the question, he took on the responsibility of being a leader during practices. It may have been difficult for most athletes to motivate their teammates while not playing, but Nightingale was familiar to the territory.
"I've always tried to lead by example," said Nightingale, a junior forward from Cheboygan, Mich. "I played juniors in Sault Ste. Marie for Joe Shawhan, and he gave me the opportunity to be a captain. That meant a lot."
Nightingale's first season with the Soo Indians (1998-99) brought with it an assistant captain role as well as his first of two NAHL All-Star team selections. He recorded 56 in points in 50 games with the Indians in 1999-2000, this time as the team captain.
Although his only ice-time with the Spartans in 2002-03 came during practices, Nightingale was back as a primary figure in the college ranks for the 2003-04 campaign.
"I was surprised after not playing a game (to be names assistant captain)," recalled the 6-1 Nightingale. "But I think maybe a lot has to do with my age. I am older and we have a younger team so I can try and lead by example. Coming here to a program like this and to be picked out as a leader is quite an honor because there are a lot of guys in this locker room that could do it. It is a nervous feeling but it's a good nervous. You want that kind of pressure as a player.
"I try to be a leader off the ice as well. I was raised in a Christian home and have strong Christian beliefs. I certainly try to follow them."
Some of Adam's personal skills stem from a family full of hockey knowledge, including older brother Jason, who played at Lake Superior State and his younger brother Jared, who is a sophomore defenseman on the Spartan hockey team. The trio has pushed each other to succeed at any level.
"We used to play basement hockey back home," smiled Jared, "We were pretty intense all three of us. I've looked to (Adam) and my oldest brother Jason my whole life and it's always a thrill to play with both of them."
Jared agrees Adam deserves to be a chief operator for MSU this year.
"If you ask anybody, he's a leader in any area," said Jared, who was born almost three years after Adam. "He always gives 100 percent everyday. He's a perfect guy to follow. To know how much time he has put into it, to see it pay off and to be there on the same team is something else."
State's Green and White game may have been Adam's first test to see if all the waiting and practicing would pay off.
"Obviously it's been a long time," thought Nightingale. "Coach Comley talked to me a little about being patient and that it's going to take awhile because I haven't played a game for a year and a half. Hopefully, though, it happens quicker than everyone expects.
"Practice is definitely different this season. Last year I tried everyday to come in and give it my best but you have your days when you're kind of down, thinking that you've got a long way until you're going to play a game. Now, you try to turn on the switch to 'Everyday' as you're battling for a spot in the lineup now."
Nightingale probably can stop "battling" for a position on the line chart. After putting up strong offensive numbers in juniors and with LSSU, the Spartans will not be looking for him just to light up the scoreboard, but to guide State along its journey back to the NCAA Tournament.
By Brian Ormiston, MSU Sports Information
