Cam Atkinson
{{Short description|American ice hockey player (born 1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Cam Atkinson
| image = Cam Atkinson 2014-12-13.JPG
| caption = Atkinson with the Columbus Blue Jackets in December 2014
| image_size = 230px
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|6|5}}
| birth_place = Riverside, Connecticut, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 8
| weight_lb = 182
| position = Right wing
| shoots = Right
| league = NHL
| team = Tampa Bay Lightning
| prospect_league =
| prospect_team =
| former_teams = Columbus Blue Jackets
Philadelphia Flyers
| ntl_team = USA
| draft = 157th overall
| draft_year = 2008
| draft_team = Columbus Blue Jackets
| career_start = 2011
| career_end =
}}
Cameron Thomas Atkinson (born June 5, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey right winger for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Atkinson was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the sixth round, 157th overall, of the 2008 NHL entry draft, and has also played for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Although smaller than most forwards in the NHL, he is known for his great speed, slick agility, soft hands, and excellent shooting skills.{{cite news|last=Howe|first=Jeff|title=BC's Chris Kreider, Cam Atkinson Among Players to Watch During Frozen Four|url=http://www.nesn.com/2010/03/bcs-chris-kreider-cam-atkinson-among-players-to-watch-during-frozen-four.html|accessdate=February 14, 2011|newspaper=NESN|date=March 31, 2010}}
Early life
Atkinson was born on June 5, 1989, in Riverside, Connecticut,{{cite news |title=Blue Jackets spotlight: Cam Atkinson |url=https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20180905/blue-jackets-spotlight-cam-atkinson |work=The Columbus Dispatch |date=September 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908170636/https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20180905/blue-jackets-spotlight-cam-atkinson |archive-date=September 8, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2021}} the middle child of five born to Tom and Ellen Atkinson. All of the Atkinson children began playing hockey at a young age, and while Cam dabbled in "pretty much every sport", his two passions were tennis and ice hockey.{{cite news |last=Fischer |first=Jim |title=Candid Cam: At home with Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson |url=https://www.columbusalive.com/content/stories/2016/10/06/candid-cam-at-home-with-blue-jackets-forward-cam-atkinson.html |work=Columbus Alive |date=October 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112013637/http://www.columbusalive.com/content/stories/2016/10/06/candid-cam-at-home-with-blue-jackets-forward-cam-atkinson.html |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2021}} In 2004, Atkinson began attending Avon Old Farms, an all-boys' boarding school in Avon, Connecticut, known for its hockey team.{{Cite news |title=Meet Cam Atkinson{{snd}}the Blue Jackets' unlikely leading scorer |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/meet-cam-atkinson-blue-jackets-unlikely-leading-scorer/ |work=SportsNet |agency=The Canadian Press |date=January 13, 2017 |access-date=October 28, 2021}} When he was 15 years old, Atkinson fractured both his tibia and fibula during a hockey tournament in Marlborough, Massachusetts, and he was told by a doctor that he likely would not skate again. Atkinson's parents had the doctor put his leg in a splint while they sought another opinion. The second physician recommended that a rod and two pins be surgically inserted into Atkinson's leg, and he made a full recovery.{{cite news |last=Bonjour |first=Doug |title=Blue Jackets' Cam Atkinson Rebukes Naysayers With Standout Season |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/13/sports/hockey/nhl-playoffs-columbus-bluejackets-cam-atkinson.html |work=The New York Times |date=April 13, 2017 |access-date=October 28, 2021}}
Playing career
=Collegiate=
Atkinson, smaller than most other hockey players at {{convert|5|ft|8|in}} was generally overlooked by National Hockey League (NHL) teams during his draft year. He was ultimately selected in the sixth round, 157th overall, by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.{{cite news |last=McCaig |first=Sam |title=NHL All-Star Teams By Draft Round: From the Lottery to the Last Pick |url=https://www.si.com/hockey/news/nhl-all-star-teams-by-draft-round-from-the-lottery-to-the-last-pick |work=The Hockey News |publisher=Sports Illustrated |date=February 18, 2021 |access-date=October 28, 2021}} Rather than enter the NHL right away, Atkinson chose to honor his commitment to play college ice hockey for the Boston College Eagles.{{cite news |title=Three Hockey Players Selected In 2008 NHL Draft |url=https://bceagles.com/news/2008/6/21/Three_Hockey_Players_Selected_In_2008_NHL_Draft.aspx |work=BC Eagles |publisher=Boston College Athletics |date=June 21, 2008 |access-date=October 28, 2021}} His first collegiate goal was the game-winner in his debut game, a 5-4 win over the Wisconsin Badgers on October 10, 2008. He was named Hockey East's Rookie of the Week for the performance.{{cite news |title=Atkinson Earns Hockey East Rookie Of The Week Honors |url=https://bceagles.com/news/2008/10/13/Atkinson_Earns_Hockey_East_Rookie_Of_The_Week_Honors.aspx |work=BC Eagles |publisher=Boston College Athletics |date=October 13, 2008 |access-date=October 28, 2021}} Atkinson played in all 36 regular-season games for Boston College during his freshman 2008–09 season, recording seven goals, including two game-winning goals, and 12 assists for a total of 19 points.{{Cite news |title=Prospect Profile: Cam Atkinson |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/prospect-profile-cam-atkinson/c-479658 |publisher=National Hockey League |agency=Columbus Blue Jackets |date=May 15, 2009 |access-date=October 28, 2021}} Despite the Eagles honoring Atkinson with the Bernie Burke Outstanding Freshman Award, he regarded his own season with trepidation, telling reporters that one "can't have the highest of expectations as a freshman".{{cite news |last=Salomone |first=Dan |title=Greenwich's Atkinson leads Boston College into Frozen Four |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Greenwich-s-Atkinson-leads-Boston-College-into-438007.php |work=Greenwich Time |date=April 6, 2010 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201042403/https://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Greenwich-s-Atkinson-leads-Boston-College-into-438007.php |url-status=dead}}
In the 2009–10 season, Atkinson led the NCAA in goals scored with 30, including two in the National Championship game.{{cite news|last=Connolly|first=John|title=Cam Atkinson reaches goals|url=http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/college/hockey/view.bg?articleid=1246323|accessdate=February 14, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Herald|date=April 11, 2010}} During one stretch of the 2009–10 season Atkinson scored three hat-tricks in ten games.{{cite news|last=Marrapese-Burrell|first=Nancy|title=Atkinson helped to hold the line|url=http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_hockey/articles/2010/04/09/atkinson_helped_to_hold_the_line/|accessdate=February 14, 2011|newspaper=The Boston Globe|date=April 9, 2010}}
=Professional=
==Columbus Blue Jackets==
On March 27, 2011, Columbus signed Atkinson to a two-year entry-level contract that included an amateur tryout agreement to finish out the 2010–11 season for the Springfield Falcons, the Blue Jackets' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.{{Cite news |title=Columbus Blue Jackets Sign Forward Cam Atkinson Standard Two-Year Entry Level Contract |url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/columbus-blue-jackets-sign-forward-cam-atkinson-standard-two-year-entry-level-contract/c-557392 |publisher=National Hockey League |agency=Columbus Blue Jackets |date=March 27, 2011 |access-date=October 28, 2021}}{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Garry |title=Boston College's Cam Atkinson to make pro debut with the Springfield Falcons |url=https://www.masslive.com/sports/2011/03/boston_colleges_cam_atkinson_t.html |work=The Republican |location=Springfield, MA |date=March 31, 2011 |access-date=October 28, 2021}} He made his professional hockey debut on April 1, 2011, scoring the game-winning goal in a victory over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.{{cite news |last=Fornabaio |first=Michael |title=Falcons' Atkinson: 'Wherever I am, it's fun' |url=https://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/article/Falcons-Atkinson-Wherever-I-am-it-s-fun-2266189.php |work=Greenwich Time |date=November 12, 2011 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030075326/https://www.greenwichtime.com/sports/article/Falcons-Atkinson-Wherever-I-am-it-s-fun-2266189.php |url-status=dead}} He appeared in five games for Springfield that season, with three goals and five points in the process.{{cite news |last=Arace |first=Michael |title=Michael Arace commentary: 5-7 Atkinson could loom large in Jackets' future |url=https://www.dispatch.com/article/20110927/OPINION/309279705 |work=The Columbus Dispatch |date=September 27, 2011 |access-date=October 28, 2021}}
His first NHL goal was scored on October 10, 2011, against Cory Schneider of the Vancouver Canucks, a game the Canucks won 3–2.[http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020030 Vancouver Canucks at Columbus Blue Jackets Game Recap – 10/10/2011] He was returned to Springfield after playing four games with Columbus in the 2011—12 season.{{cite web|title=Whale Suffer Shootout Loss in Home Opener |url=http://www.ctwhale.com/default.asp?ctwhale=59&objId=1626 |author=Berlet, B. |publisher=Connecticut Whale |accessdate=October 17, 2011}}{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}
After his return to the AHL, Atkinson was named to the 2012 AHL Eastern Conference All-Star Team on January 4, 2012, as a result of his impressive play with Springfield during the 2011–12 season, with 15 goals and ten assists through 30 games. He was one of 13 rookies named to the two All-Star teams.{{cite web|title=2012 ALL-STAR ROSTERS UNVEILED|url=https://theahl.com/2012-all-star-rosters-unveiled|website=TheAHL.com|publisher=AHL|accessdate=9 December 2017|location=Springfield, Mass.|date=January 4, 2012}}
File:Cam Atkinson 2013-11-01.JPG
On April 5, 2012, Atkinson recorded his first career NHL hat-trick against the Colorado Avalanche in a 5–2 Blue Jacket win.{{cite web|title=Blue Jackets 5, Avalanche 2|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/gametracker/recap/NHL_20120405_CLB@COL|website=cbssports.com|accessdate=March 15, 2018|date=April 5, 2012}} Atkinson recorded his second hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks to help the Blue Jackets win 5–2 on March 27, 2015.{{cite web|title=Cam Atkinson lifts Blue Jackets past Blackhawks|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cam-atkinson-hat-trick-blue-jackets-beat-blackhawks/|accessdate=December 24, 2019|date=March 27, 2015}}{{cite web|last1=Hedger|first1=Brian|title=Atkinson's hat trick lifts Blue Jackets by Blackhawks|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/atkinsons-hat-trick-lifts-blue-jackets-by-blackhawks/c-170562|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 15, 2018|date=May 27, 2015}} Atkinson recorded his third career hat trick during the 2015–16 season in a 5–2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.{{cite web|title=Cam Atkinson nets hat trick to lead Blue Jackets past Canadiens|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/cam-atkinson-hat-trick-canadiens-blue-jackets-1.3419513|website=cbc.ca|accessdate=March 16, 2018|date=January 25, 2016}}
During the 2016–17 season, Atkinson experienced a breakout season, recording phenomenal numbers and helping the Blue Jackets ascend to the top of the standings. He was named to the 2017 NHL All-Star Game as a replacement for Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin, who was pulled out from a lower-body injury.{{cite web|title=Cam Atkinson added to NHL All-Star Game roster|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/cam-atkinson-added-to-nhl-all-star-game-roster/c-286128574|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 15, 2018|date=January 17, 2017}} Atkinson was previously considered to have been "snubbed" by being left off the original roster.{{cite news|last1=Clinton|first1=Jared|title=NHL ANNOUNCES ALL-STAR GAME ROSTERS, AND THERE ARE A FEW SNUBS AND SURPRISES|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/news/article/nhl-announces-all-star-game-rosters-and-there-are-a-few-snubs-and-surprises|newspaper=The Hockey News|accessdate=January 26, 2017|date=January 10, 2017}}
On November 16, 2017, the Blue Jackets signed Atkinson to a seven-year, $41.125 million contract extension worth $5.875 million annually.{{cite web|title=Blue Jackets sign Cam Atkinson to a seven-year contract extension|url=https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cam-atkinson-seven-year-extension-2017/c-293085258|website=NHL.com|publisher=Columbus Blue Jackets|accessdate=November 25, 2017|location=Columbus, OH|date=November 17, 2017}} During the 2017–18 season Atkinson recorded his fourth hat trick against the Philadelphia Flyers to help the Blue Jackets win their sixth straight game.{{cite web|last1=Kimelman|first1=Adam|title=Blue Jackets hang on to defeat Flyers, gain in Metropolitan|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-philadelphia-flyers-game-recap/c-296978146|website=NHL.com|accessdate=March 15, 2018|date=March 15, 2018}}{{cite news|last1=Carchidi|first1=Sam|title=Flyers' recent collapse continues in loss to Columbus|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/flyers-columbus-blue-jackets-score-recap-playoff-race-20180315.html|accessdate=March 15, 2018|publisher=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=March 15, 2018}}
Atkinson had statistically the best season of his career during the 2018–19 season. His 41 goals, 28 assists, and 69 points were career bests in each category. Atkinson also added 8 points in 10 games during the playoffs.
==Philadelphia Flyers==
On July 24, 2021, Atkinson was traded by the Blue Jackets to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Jakub Voráček.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/flyers-acquire-forward-cam-atkinson-from-columbus-for-jakub-voracek/c-325778666 | title = Flyers acquire forward Cam Atkinson for Jakub Voracek | publisher = Philadelphia Flyers | date = July 24, 2021 | accessdate = July 24, 2021}}
He did not play the 2022–23 season due to having a herniated disc while also needing to undergo surgery in his left tricep. Atkinson was placed on the injured reserve after his diagnosis was discovered during training camp.{{cite web|url = https://www.flyersinsider.com/nhl-team/philadelphia-flyers/Cam-Atkinson-Gets-Emotional-and-Finally-Reveals-The-Injury-That-Held-Him-Back-All-Year |title = Cam Atkinson Gets Emotional and Finally Reveals The Injury That's Held Him Back All Year |publisher = Flyers Insider |date = April 14, 2023 |accessdate = March 31, 2024}} He would subsequently return to the team for the 2023–24 season. Following that season, however, Philadelphia opted to buy out the final year of his contract, making Atkinson a free agent.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/flyers/news/flyers-to-buy-out-final-year-of-cam-atkinson-s-contract |title=Flyers to Buy Out Final Year of Cam Atkinson's Contract |website=Philadelphia Flyers |date=June 28, 2024}}
==Tampa Bay Lightning==
As an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career, Atkinson signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 2, 2024.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/lightning/news/tampa-bay-lightning-sign-f-cam-atkinson-to-a-one-year-contract | title = Lightning sign F Cam Atkinson to a one-year contract | publisher = Tampa Bay Lightning | date = July 2, 2024 | accessdate = July 15, 2024}}
Personal life
File:Tampa Bay Lightning player Cam Atkinson tours MacDill AFB (250218-F-IA158-1086).jpg in 2025]]
While playing for the Flyers, Atkinson joined his teammates Scott Laughton and Joel Farabee in their work with local Philadelphia LGBTQ organizations.{{cite web|url= https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/flyers-pride-night-lgbtq-ivan-provorov-controversy-scott-laughton-20240111.html |title=Flyers' Pride Night 'trending in the right direction' a year after the Ivan Provorov controversy |date=January 11, 2024 |access-date=January 20, 2025|author=March, Lochlahn |publisher= The Philadelphia Inquirer}}
Career statistics
=Regular season and playoffs=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em" |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Regular season ! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! colspan="5" | Playoffs |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |
| 2005–06
| HS-Prep | 25 | 15 | 20 | 35 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2006–07 | Avon Old Farms | HS-Prep | 27 | 28 | 24 | 52 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2007–08
| Avon Old Farms | HS-Prep | 28 | 26 | 37 | 63 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2008–09 | HE | 36 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2009–10
| Boston College | HE | 42 | 30 | 23 | 53 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2010–11 | Boston College | HE | 38 | 31 | 21 | 52 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2010–11
| AHL | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2011–12 | Springfield Falcons | AHL | 51 | 29 | 15 | 44 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011–12
| NHL | 27 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2012–13 | Springfield Falcons | AHL | 33 | 17 | 21 | 38 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012–13
| Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 35 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2013–14 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 79 | 21 | 19 | 40 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2014–15
| Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 78 | 22 | 18 | 40 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2015–16 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 81 | 27 | 26 | 53 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2016–17
| Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 82 | 35 | 27 | 62 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2017–18 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 65 | 24 | 22 | 46 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| 2018–19
| Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 80 | 41 | 28 | 69 | 20 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2019–20 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 44 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 4 |
| 2020–21
| Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 56 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2021–22 | NHL | 73 | 23 | 27 | 50 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023–24
| Philadelphia Flyers | NHL | 70 | 13 | 15 | 28 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2024–25 | NHL | 39 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals ! 809 ! 253 ! 236 ! 489 ! 194 ! 35 ! 10 ! 16 ! 26 ! 10 |
=International=
{{MedalTableTop|name=}}
{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}
{{MedalSport|Ice hockey}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}
{{MedalBronze|2018 Denmark|}}
{{MedalBottom}}
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em" |
| ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM |
| 2012
| WC | 7th | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2018 | United States | WC | {{bronze3}} | 10 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4" | Senior totals ! 18 ! 8 ! 6 ! 14 ! 6 |
Awards and honors
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{Ice hockey stats|nhl=8474715|elite=19166|espn=|euro=|hr=a/atkinca01|hockeydb=113815|legendsm=|legends=|legendstype=|tsn=}}
{{S-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = Matt Lombardi| title = William Flynn Tournament Most Valuable Player | years = 2011| after = Johnny Gaudreau}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Atkinson, Cam}}
Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans
Category:American men's ice hockey right wingers
Category:Avon Old Farms alumni
Category:Boston College Eagles men's ice hockey players
Category:Columbus Blue Jackets draft picks
Category:Columbus Blue Jackets players
Category:Sportspeople from Greenwich, Connecticut
Category:Ice hockey people from Fairfield County, Connecticut
Category:National Hockey League All-Stars
Category:NCAA men's ice hockey national champions
Category:People from Riverside, Connecticut
Category:Philadelphia Flyers players