Adam Oates played 19 seasons in the NHL for the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Philadelphia Flyers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Edmonton Oilers. Known as an elite playmaker, his career total of 1,079 assists was the fifth highest total in NHL history at the time of his 2004 retirement. After retiring as a player, he served as an assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils prior to joining the Capitals as their head coach for two seasons between 2012 and 2014. On January 27, 2017, in a ceremony during the All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Oates was part of the second group of players to be named one of the '100 Greatest NHL Players' in history. Oates was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 12, 2012 along with Joe Sakic, Pavel Bure, and Mats Sundin.

This official NHL Washington Capitals puck was signed in silver by Oates and inscribed, "HOF 12." This puck includes a Schwartz Sports hologram and COA.