Cam Atkinson
Cam Atkinson (born June 5, 1989) is a retired American professional ice hockey right winger who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), amassing 253 goals and 489 points over 809 regular-season games. [1][2] Drafted in the sixth round (157th overall) by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft after a standout college career at Boston College, where he won a national championship and earned Hockey East honors, Atkinson debuted with Columbus in 2011 and became a key contributor known for his speed, agility, and shooting accuracy despite his undersized frame. [2][3] His tenure with the Blue Jackets peaked in the 2018–19 season, when he set career highs with 41 goals, 28 assists, and 69 points, helping the team secure its first playoff series victory in franchise history against the Washington Capitals. [4] Traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021 and later briefly with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Atkinson signed a one-day contract with Columbus on October 16, 2025, to retire as a Blue Jacket, cementing his legacy as a franchise leader in playoff points and a symbol of perseverance from a late-round draft pick to NHL regular. [5][4]
Early life and development
Childhood and family background
Cam Atkinson was born on June 5, 1989, in Riverside, Connecticut, a affluent section of Greenwich.[6][7] He grew up in a sports-focused household as the middle child of five brothers—Steve, Tommy, Brett, and Scotty—all of whom played hockey from a young age, often competing informally in the family's large driveway.[8][7] His parents, Tom and Ellen Atkinson, both originally from Connecticut, emphasized athletic development; Tom worked in finance in New York City, while Ellen served as a stay-at-home mother before opening consignment shops in Greenwich.[8][7] By fifth grade, Atkinson had committed to pursuing a professional hockey career, balancing the sport with tennis amid his siblings' competitive environment.[8] At around age 15, he endured a severe injury during a tournament, fracturing his tibia and fibula, with doctors initially warning he might never skate again; he defied the prognosis by returning to the ice in two months.[9][8]Junior and preparatory hockey
Atkinson attended Avon Old Farms School, a preparatory boarding school in Avon, Connecticut, where he competed on the varsity ice hockey team for three seasons from 2005 to 2008.[3] The program is recognized for developing prospects for collegiate and professional hockey.[10] During his sophomore season in 2005–06, Atkinson appeared in 25 games, scoring 15 goals and adding 20 assists for 35 points.[3] In 2006–07, he elevated his production with 28 goals and 24 assists in 27 games, totaling 52 points.[3] His senior year in 2007–08 marked a career high, as he registered 26 goals and 37 assists for 63 points over 28 games.[3] Across 80 games at Avon Old Farms, Atkinson amassed 69 goals, 81 assists, and 150 points, establishing himself as a standout scorer despite his smaller stature.[3] Atkinson received All-New England recognition three times during his prep career and was honored as the school's athlete of the year as a senior, reflecting his contributions both on the ice and in other sports like soccer.[11] His performance at Avon Old Farms positioned him as a prospect, leading to his selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the sixth round (157th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.[4] No records indicate participation in major junior leagues such as the USHL prior to his collegiate commitment.[3]Collegiate career
Boston College achievements
During his freshman season with the Boston College Eagles in 2008–09, Atkinson appeared in 36 games, scoring 7 goals and adding 12 assists for 19 points, while earning Hockey East Rookie of the Week honors once for his early contributions.[12][13] In 2009–10, Atkinson's sophomore year, he exploded offensively with 30 goals—the most in NCAA men's hockey—in 42 games, totaling 53 points and helping Boston College secure the Hockey East regular-season title.[4][12] His scoring prowess continued into the postseason, where he netted two goals in the NCAA championship game, a 5–0 shutout of Wisconsin on April 10, 2010, at Ford Field in Detroit, clinching Boston College's first national title in 61 years.[14][4] For these efforts, he received Hockey East Second All-Star Team selection, NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team honors, and New England Division I Most Improved Player recognition.[4][15] Atkinson's junior campaign in 2010–11 marked his peak, as he led the Eagles with 31 goals and a career-high 52 points (31 goals, 21 assists) in 39 games, once again topping NCAA goal-scoring charts in conference play.[16][12] He guided Boston College to the Hockey East tournament championship, earning MVP honors for the event after scoring crucial goals, including two in the final against Merrimack. Additional accolades included Hockey East First All-Star Team, AHCA/CCM Division I Men's Ice Hockey All-America First Team, and finalist status for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, recognizing the top U.S. college hockey player.[4][17] Over his three seasons, Atkinson amassed 68 goals in 117 games, establishing himself as one of Boston College's premier scorers before turning professional.[12]Transition to professional prospects
On March 27, 2011, following a standout junior season at Boston College where he led the team with 31 goals and 52 points in 39 games, Atkinson signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, forgoing his senior year.[18][19] His performance earned him AHCA All-America first-team honors, highlighting his scoring prowess despite his undersized frame of 5 feet 8 inches and 175 pounds, which had initially contributed to his sixth-round selection (157th overall) in the 2008 NHL Draft.[16] Atkinson made his professional debut shortly after signing, joining the Blue Jackets' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons, on March 31, 2011, amid the team's NCAA tournament exit.[20] In the remaining games of the 2010-11 AHL season, he adapted quickly to the pro level, recording points in limited action and demonstrating the speed and shooting accuracy that scouts noted as compensatory strengths for his size disadvantages.[21] Entering the 2011-12 season, Atkinson's prospects improved markedly from his draft-year evaluation as a long-shot due to physical limitations; his collegiate production positioned him as a potential bottom-six NHL winger with offensive upside, leading to his recall and NHL debut on October 7, 2011, against the New York Islanders.[4] He scored his first NHL goal three days later on October 10, 2011, signaling a successful transition from college standout to professional contributor.[22]Professional career
Columbus Blue Jackets tenure (2011–2021)
Atkinson signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 29, 2011, following his junior season at Boston College.[4] He made his NHL debut on October 7, 2011, against the Nashville Predators, and scored his first NHL goal three games later on October 15, 2011, against the New York Islanders.[4] [23] During his tenure, Atkinson established himself as a reliable top-six forward, accumulating 402 points (213 goals and 189 assists) in 627 regular-season games, ranking second in franchise history for goals and points behind Rick Nash.[4] He led the team in shorthanded goals with 16, a franchise record, and recorded six hat tricks.[24] Atkinson's peak came in the 2018–19 season, where he set career highs with 41 goals, 28 assists, and 69 points, contributing to the Blue Jackets' first playoff series win by sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning.[4] In the playoffs overall, he holds Columbus records with 10 goals, 16 assists, and 26 points across five postseason appearances.[5] On July 24, 2021, the Blue Jackets traded Atkinson to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Jakub Voráček, concluding his decade-long stint with the organization.[4]Philadelphia Flyers stint (2021–2024)
On July 24, 2021, the Philadelphia Flyers acquired Atkinson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Jakub Voráček, with no salary retention involved in the deal.[25][26] Atkinson, entering the final four years of a seven-year, $41.1 million contract signed in 2017, was expected to provide scoring depth on the right wing amid the Flyers' efforts to retool their forward group following a first-round playoff exit the prior season.[27] In the 2021–22 season, Atkinson's debut campaign with Philadelphia, he appeared in 73 games, recording 23 goals and 27 assists for 50 points, marking his third-highest point total in a single NHL season and contributing as a reliable middle-six forward despite the team's overall struggles.[2] His production included a hat trick on October 18, 2021, against the Seattle Kraken, where he scored three goals in a 6–1 victory, showcasing his quick-release wrist shot on the power play and at even strength.[4] However, the Flyers finished with a 25–46–11 record, missing the playoffs, and Atkinson dealt with minor lower-body issues late in the year that limited his postseason availability.[28] Atkinson missed the entire 2022–23 season after sustaining a herniated disc in his neck during the offseason, which required surgery, compounded by a subsequent left triceps procedure that sidelined him for all 82 games.[4] The injury stemmed from ongoing spinal issues traced back to prior physical play, forcing him into rehabilitation and delaying his return; Flyers management placed him on long-term injured reserve, preserving cap space while the team posted a 31–38–13 record without his contributions.[27] Returning for the 2023–24 season, Atkinson played 70 games, managing 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points—his lowest full-season output since his rookie year—amid a noticeable decline in speed and shot volume attributed to lingering recovery effects and age-related wear at 34 years old.[2][26] He recorded his 400th NHL goal on October 19, 2023, against the Edmonton Oilers, but battled an ankle injury that hampered mobility in the latter half of the schedule.[4] The Flyers again missed the playoffs with a 38–33–11 mark, prompting the organization to buy out the final year of Atkinson's contract on June 28, 2024, citing cap flexibility needs and his diminished role in a rebuilding roster.[26]Tampa Bay Lightning and retirement (2024–2025)
On July 2, 2024, Atkinson signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, marking his third NHL team after stints with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers.[4] During the 2024–25 season, he appeared in 38 games for the Lightning, recording 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points while averaging 8:47 of ice time per game.[29] Atkinson split time between the NHL club and the American Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch, from which he was recalled on April 16, 2025, ahead of the regular season's conclusion.[29] Following the Lightning's playoff qualification, Atkinson's contract expired, and he remained unsigned during the 2025 offseason.[30] On October 8, 2025, the Blue Jackets announced that the 36-year-old forward would sign a ceremonial one-day contract to retire as a member of the organization where he spent the first decade of his career.[30] The retirement ceremony occurred on October 16, 2025, prior to a home game against the Colorado Avalanche, concluding Atkinson's 13-season NHL tenure that included 809 games, 213 goals, and 402 points.[5] Atkinson cited Columbus as "home" for his family, emphasizing emotional ties over further play.[5]International representation
IIHF World Championships
Atkinson first represented the United States at the 2012 IIHF World Championship, hosted in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden. In eight games, he contributed one goal and two assists for three points, with a plus-minus of plus-3 and two penalty minutes.[3] His lone goal occurred in a 5-3 victory over Belarus on May 10, 2012.[31] Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals but lost to Finland, ultimately finishing fifth overall. Atkinson returned for the 2018 IIHF World Championship in Copenhagen and Herning, Denmark, where he delivered a standout performance with seven goals and four assists for 11 points in 10 games, alongside a minus-3 rating and two penalty minutes.[3][32] Key contributions included two shootout goals in a 4-3 quarterfinal win over Canada on May 4, 2018, helping secure the U.S. semifinal berth.[33] After the preliminary round, his 10 points ranked second among American players, trailing only Patrick Kane.[34] The United States posted a 6-2-0-2 record, tying the program's best tournament win total, and claimed bronze with a 4-1 third-place victory over Canada on May 20, 2018—Atkinson's first and only IIHF medal.[34] Over his two appearances, Atkinson totaled 18 games, eight goals, six assists, and 14 points.[3]Team USA contributions
Atkinson represented the United States at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, where he emerged as a key offensive contributor en route to a bronze medal finish—the team's first since 1962.[35] In 10 games, he recorded 7 goals and 4 assists for 11 points, ranking second among American skaters behind Patrick Kane and tying for eighth overall in tournament scoring.[3] His goals included a game-tying tally against Canada on May 4, 2018, followed by two shootout goals that secured a 4-3 victory, boosting Team USA's early momentum in group play.[36] Atkinson's performance earned him recognition as one of the United States' top three players of the tournament by IIHF officials.[35] Earlier, in the 2012 IIHF World Championship, he contributed 1 goal and 2 assists over 8 games amid a seventh-place finish, providing secondary scoring on a roster featuring NHL stars.[3] These appearances marked his primary senior international outings for Team USA, showcasing his speed and shooting in high-stakes international competition.[4]Playing style and performance analysis
Offensive strengths and shooting prowess
Atkinson's offensive game centered on his elite shooting ability, characterized by a rapid release and pinpoint accuracy that compensated for his 5-foot-8 frame. His quick-release wrist shot, honed through dedicated drills emphasizing immediate puck reception and firing without stickhandling, allowed him to capitalize on fleeting opportunities in high-danger areas.[37][38] This skill manifested in instances like his November 29, 2018, goal against the Minnesota Wild, where a swift shot from the slot beat goaltender Devan Dubnyk to extend a point streak.[38] His shooting volume and efficiency peaked during the 2018-19 season with the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he notched a career-high 41 goals on 295 shots, achieving a 13.9% shooting percentage while ranking among the league's top volume shooters.[4] Atkinson's hard, accurate right-handed shot—combined with soft hands and speed—enabled him to generate scoring chances from the circles and low slot, often driving play toward the net front despite physical disadvantages.[39][40] Earlier, in 2016-17, he posted a personal-best 14.6% shooting rate, underscoring his proficiency in converting high-volume attempts into goals through deceptive releases and positioning.[41] On the power play, Atkinson's shot generation stood out; in 2018-19, he led the Blue Jackets with eight power-play goals and a 18.31 shots per 60 rate, the 15th-highest among qualified forwards league-wide, leveraging his quick trigger to exploit screened lanes.[42] As a "shoot-first" winger, he prioritized volume over setup, amassing consistent 20-plus goal seasons through tenacity and net-front presence, though later years saw diminished output due to age and injury.[43][44]Defensive limitations and career declines
Atkinson's compact frame—standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 178 pounds—posed inherent challenges in physical defensive play, limiting his effectiveness in board battles and against larger forwards in the neutral and defensive zones.[2] [3] While he contributed on the penalty kill as a specialist, earning recognition for short-handed reliability, his even-strength defensive contributions waned over time, as evidenced by a career plus/minus of -11 across 809 games, with negative ratings in seven of his final eight full seasons.[4] Post-2019, Atkinson's performance entered a marked decline, coinciding with injuries, a 2021 trade to Philadelphia, and advancing age at 30.[2] His scoring plummeted from a peak of 69 points (41 goals) in 2018–19 to 28 points in 70 games during 2023–24, the latter marred by a -22 plus/minus that ranked among the league's worst.[2] [45] In 2020–21, he posted a -16 rating amid 34 points in 56 games, reflecting diminished speed and puck possession that had defined his earlier offensive success.[2] The 2024–25 season with Tampa Bay further underscored the downturn, limited to 39 games with just 9 points and a -4 plus/minus before his retirement announcement in October 2025.[2] [5] Analysts attributed this to age-related erosion in his defensive positioning and recovery speed at even strength, despite retained penalty-kill utility in limited minutes.[46] Overall, these factors contributed to reduced roles and prompted his one-day contract to retire as a Blue Jacket, capping a career that transitioned from consistent top-line production to fringe NHL viability.[5]Career statistics
NHL regular season and playoffs
Cam Atkinson's NHL regular season career totals include 809 games played, 253 goals, 236 assists, and 489 points.[2]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM | PPG | SHG | GWG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–12 | CBJ | 27 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012–13 | CBJ | 35 | 9 | 9 | 18 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013–14 | CBJ | 79 | 21 | 19 | 40 | -4 | 18 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 2014–15 | CBJ | 78 | 22 | 18 | 40 | -2 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| 2015–16 | CBJ | 81 | 27 | 26 | 53 | -8 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| 2016–17 | CBJ | 82 | 35 | 27 | 62 | 13 | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 |
| 2017–18 | CBJ | 65 | 24 | 22 | 46 | 19 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 2018–19 | CBJ | 80 | 41 | 28 | 69 | 3 | 20 | 8 | 4 | 8 |
| 2019–20 | CBJ | 44 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 2020–21 | CBJ | 56 | 15 | 19 | 34 | -16 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 2021–22 | PHI | 73 | 23 | 27 | 50 | -2 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 2022–23 | PHI | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | PHI | 70 | 13 | 15 | 28 | -22 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 2024–25 | TBL | 39 | 4 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 809 | 253 | 236 | 489 | -11 | 194 | 47 | 19 | 51 |
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM | PPG | SHG | GWG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | CBJ | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016–17 | CBJ | 5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017–18 | CBJ | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018–19 | CBJ | 10 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | CBJ | 8 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Career | 35 | 10 | 16 | 26 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
International and collegiate summaries
Atkinson's collegiate career spanned three seasons (2008–2011) at Boston College in Hockey East, where he tallied 121 points (68 goals, 53 assists) in 117 regular-season games, helping the Eagles win the 2010 national championship.[47][48] His scoring surged after a modest freshman year, leading Hockey East in goals during his sophomore (30) and junior (31) seasons.[49]| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | Boston College | 36 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 28 |
| 2009–10 | Boston College | 42 | 30 | 23 | 53 | 24 |
| 2010–11 | Boston College | 39 | 31 | 18 | 49 | 18 |
| Total | 117 | 68 | 53 | 121 | 70 |
| Year | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | WC | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 2018 | WC | 10 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 2 |
| Total | 18 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 6 |