Cam Atkinson

Lore & Background

Atkinson was born on June 5, 1989, in Greenwich, Connecticut, the middle child of three (an older brother and a younger sister) born to Tom and Ellen Atkinson. He began playing hockey at a young age and also had a passion for tennis. At age 15, he fractured both his tibia and fibula during a hockey tournament and was told he likely would not skate again, but after a second opinion and surgery, he made a full recovery. He played college hockey for Boston College, where he led the NCAA in goals in 2009–10 with 30. He was drafted by Columbus in the sixth round in 2008 and signed his first NHL contract in 2011. He recorded his first NHL hat-trick on April 5, 2012, against the Colorado Avalanche. He was named to the 2017 NHL All-Star Game as a replacement for Evgeni Malkin. On July 24, 2021, he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers. After missing the 2022–23 season due to a herniated disc, he returned for 2023–24, then was bought out. He signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 2, 2024. On October 8, 2025, the Blue Jackets announced he would sign a one-day contract to retire as a member of the team on October 16.

In Their Own Story

It's the third period, tied game, and Cam Atkinson skates through a wall of bodies in front of the net. He doesn't look for space; he creates it, absorbing hits that would send lesser players to the bench. With a quick wrist shot from the slot, he beats the goalie five-hole, sending the arena into a frenzy as the crowd erupts in a familiar chant.

Reader's Guide

Atkinson was known for his speed, agility, soft hands, and shooting skills despite being smaller than most NHL forwards. He played 13 NHL seasons. His career-best season was 2018–19 with 41 goals, 28 assists, and 69 points. He scored four career hat-tricks in the NHL. He was selected 157th overall in the 2008 draft. He played college hockey at Boston College. He was traded to Philadelphia in 2021 and later signed with Tampa Bay in 2024. He retired with the Blue Jackets in 2025.

Did You Know?

• Atkinson fractured both his tibia and fibula at age 15 and was told he might never skate again.
• He led the NCAA in goals during the 2009–10 season with 30.
• His first NHL goal was scored on October 10, 2011, against Cory Schneider of the Vancouver Canucks.
• He recorded his first career NHL hat-trick on April 5, 2012, against the Colorado Avalanche.
• He was named to the 2017 NHL All-Star Game as a replacement for Evgeni Malkin.