Cam Atkinson: From Underrated Prospect To NHL Star
Discover how Cam Atkinson rose from a small-town Connecticut kid to become one of the top scorers in Columbus Blue Jackets history. Learn about his early struggles, record-breaking seasons, and NHL journey.
Jul 27, 2025119 Shares59.4K Views
Cam Atkinsoncaught the eye of hockey fans when he joined the Columbus Blue Jackets and became one of their top scorers. He started his NHL journey after being picked in the 2008 draft, and made his first dream season’s mark with strong goal totals and clutch moments on the ice. Known for his sharp shot and quick skating, he fought through doubts about his size and rose to become a steady leader in Columbus. Over time, he became the second-highest point scorer in Blue Jackets history, making him a key part of the team’s identity.
Early Life
Corn Thomas “Cam” Atkinson was born on June 5, 1989, in Riverside, Connecticut, as the middle of five children to Tom and Ellen Atkinson. All his siblings played sports, and Cam tried many games as a child, but he focused most on tennis and ice hockey. In 2004, he began attending Avon Old Farms, a boarding school for boys in Avon, Connecticut, known for its ice hockey program. When he was 15, Cam broke both bones in his lower leg during a tournament in Massachusetts, and doctors said he might never skate again. His parents asked for another opinion, and a second doctor placed a rod and pins in his leg, allowing him to recover fully and get back on the ice.
Playing Career
Cam Atkinson began his professional hockey career after signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets in March 2011. He first played with their AHL team, the Springfield Falcons, where he scored the game-winning goal in his debut and earned a spot in the 2012 AHL All-Star Game thanks to strong scoring and play-making skills. Atkinson made his NHL debut in the 2011–12 season and scored his first NHL goal on October 10, 2011, against Vancouver. Over the years with Columbus, he developed into one of their premier goal scorers. He posted 21 goals and 19 assists in 79 games in 2013–14, then repeated the same point total in 2014–15. His breakthrough came in the 2016–17 season when he scored 35 goals and 62 points, earning a selection to the NHL All-Star Game as a replacement.
In the 2018–19 season, Atkinson hit a major milestone by scoring 41 goals, tying the Blue Jackets’ single-season record, and finished with 69 points. He also became the franchise record holder for most short-handed goals (16) and tied for most hat tricks (6). Through 2020–21, he had played ten seasons in Columbus, gathering a total of 253 goals and 236 assists over 809 NHL games played between Columbus, Philadelphia Flyers, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He also contributed 10 goals and 16 assists in 35 playoff games for Columbus, making him the team’s all-time leader in playoff scoring.
In July 2021, Atkinson was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he continued to score at a solid pace (50 points in 2021–22, followed by 28 points in 2023–24). He missed the entire 2022–23 season due to injury and surgery but returned in 2023–24 before being bought out by the Flyers in mid-2024. As a free agent, he signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning in July 2024 and recorded 9 points in 39 games during the 2024–25 season.
Throughout his career, Atkinson built a reputation as a fast skater with a sharp shot, proving his worth even with concerns about his smaller frame. He remains one of the most respected goal scorers in Blue Jackets history and a well-known presence in the league.
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