Adam Oates set the St. Louis franchise record with 90 assists in 1990-91. What is amazing is that he did in playing only 61 games. Oates was second in the NHL that year, 32 behind leader Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings. Many of Adam’s helpers were on Brett Hull’s league leading 86 goals (also a franchise record).
Perhaps his best game of the year, Oates assisted on all five St. Louis goals in a 5-4 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings on January 26, 1991 at the St. Louis Arena. He had helpers on a pair of Brett Hull goals along with singles by Mario Marois, Jeff Brown and Geoff Courtnall. The Courtnall goal was scored in overtime on Detroit goalie Tim Cheveldae.
This was not a career best for Oates. In 1992-93 with the Boston Bruins, Adam had 97 assists to go with his career high 142 points. That assist total did lead the NHL, two ahead of both Pat Lafontaine of the Buffalo Sabres and Doug Gilmour of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both of those two players set records for their respective teams that year.