Cam Atkinson Bio
Cameron Thomas Atkinson, born on June 5, 1989, in Riverside, Connecticut, is an American former professional ice hockey right winger who played thirteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, and Tampa Bay Lightning. Selected by the Blue Jackets in the sixth round, 157th overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Atkinson built a reputation as a dynamic offensive contributor despite his smaller frame.
At 5 feet 8 inches tall, he was consistently listed among the league’s most compact forwards, yet he remained a threat with his speed, agility, soft hands, and accurate shot. Over the course of his NHL career, he became a steady middle-six scorer, an All-Star selection, and a respected veteran known for his work ethic and community engagement.
Early Life and Background
Atkinson was born on June 5, 1989, in Riverside, Connecticut, the middle child of five born to Tom and Ellen Atkinson. He grew up in a tight-knit household where hockey was a central part of family life. All of the Atkinson children began playing hockey at a young age, and while Cam explored many sports, his two real passions were tennis and ice hockey.
His love for hockey deepened during his teenage years. In 2004, Atkinson enrolled at Avon Old Farms, an all-boys’ boarding school in Avon, Connecticut, well known for its competitive hockey program. The school environment provided him with elite coaching, daily practice, and a demanding schedule that sharpened his skills against high-level competition.
At age 15, Atkinson suffered a serious injury. During a hockey tournament in Marlborough, Massachusetts, he fractured both his tibia and fibula, and a doctor told his family that he might never skate again. His parents rejected that outlook, sought a second opinion, and a different physician inserted a rod and two pins into his leg. Atkinson recovered fully and returned to the ice, an experience that reinforced his resilience.
Path to Professional Hockey
Coming out of Avon Old Farms, Atkinson was considered undersized for a top NHL prospect, and most teams passed on him in his draft year. The Columbus Blue Jackets finally selected him in the sixth round, 157th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Rather than jump directly to professional hockey, Atkinson chose to honor his commitment to play college hockey at Boston College.
He made an immediate impact with the Boston College Eagles. In his very first collegiate game on October 10, 2008, a 5-4 win over the Wisconsin Badgers, he scored the game-winner and was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week. He finished his freshman year with 19 points in 36 games and received the Bernie Burke Outstanding Freshman Award.
Atkinson’s stock rose sharply during the 2009-10 season, when he led the NCAA in goals with 30, including two in the national championship game. He scored three hat tricks in a ten-game stretch, confirming his scoring touch against the country’s best college competition and setting the stage for his professional career.
Cam Atkinson Career
Early Professional Career (2011-2012)
On March 27, 2011, Columbus signed Atkinson to a two-year entry-level contract that included an amateur tryout agreement to finish the season with the Springfield Falcons, the Blue Jackets’ American Hockey League affiliate. He debuted on April 1, 2011, and scored the game-winning goal against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. In five AHL games, he posted three goals and five points.
Atkinson made his NHL debut during the 2011-12 season and scored his first NHL goal on October 10, 2011, against Vancouver Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider. He split time between Columbus and Springfield, was named to the 2012 AHL Eastern Conference All-Star Team, and on April 5, 2012, recorded his first career NHL hat trick in a 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
Columbus Blue Jackets Breakthrough (2012-2021)
After establishing himself in the AHL, Atkinson became a full-time NHL contributor for the Blue Jackets. On March 27, 2015, he recorded his second career hat trick in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, and he added a third during the 2015-16 season in a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens, demonstrating his ability to light up the scoreboard against high-caliber opponents.
The 2016-17 campaign marked his true NHL breakout. He put up impressive numbers, helped the Blue Jackets rise to the top of the league standings, and was selected to the 2017 NHL All-Star Game as a replacement for Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin. On November 16, 2017, the Blue Jackets rewarded his production with a seven-year, $41.125 million contract extension, worth $5.875 million annually.
Atkinson’s 2018-19 season was the statistical peak of his career. He set personal bests with 41 goals, 28 assists, and 69 points during the regular season, then added 8 points in 10 playoff games, helping the Blue Jackets make a deep postseason run. On July 24, 2021, Columbus traded him to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Jakub Voráček, closing a decade-long chapter with the organization that drafted him.
Philadelphia Flyers Era (2021-2024)
Atkinson arrived in Philadelphia with high expectations as a proven scorer. He provided an immediate offensive boost during the 2021-22 season, but his tenure was disrupted by major health issues. He did not play in 2022-23 after being diagnosed with a herniated disc and requiring surgery on his left tricep. The injuries were discovered during training camp, and he was placed on injured reserve.
Atkinson returned to the Flyers lineup for the 2023-24 season, looking to recapture his earlier form. Following that campaign, however, Philadelphia chose to buy out the final year of his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
Tampa Bay Lightning Era (2024)
On July 2, 2024, Atkinson signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, joining a contending roster as a veteran depth scorer. He was expected to provide speed, special teams help, and leadership in a locker room chasing another Stanley Cup. His time in Tampa closed out his final NHL season before he moved into retirement planning.
Driving Style and Strengths
Atkinson was never the biggest forward on the ice, but he consistently compensated with elite quickness, sharp edge work, and a quick-release wrist shot that troubled goaltenders at every level. He thrived in transition, used his lower stance to protect the puck along the boards, and excelled as a net-front presence on the power play. His hockey sense, shooting accuracy, and relentless work rate made him a coach’s favorite on special teams and in late-game situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Atkinson’s career were his four career NHL hat tricks, his 2017 NHL All-Star Game appearance, and his record-setting 41-goal season in 2018-19. He also delivered memorable playoff performances for Columbus, including a 10-game run in 2019 that helped the Blue Jackets advance deep into the postseason. On October 8, 2025, the Blue Jackets announced that he would sign a one-day contract to retire as a member of the team, with a ceremony planned for October 16 before Columbus hosted the Colorado Avalanche.
Cam Atkinson Career Wins
Across his thirteen NHL seasons, Atkinson established himself as a reliable 25-to-40 goal scorer during his prime years, while also contributing as a playmaker and power-play specialist. He built his offensive resume in Columbus, where most of his regular-season success was concentrated, and added meaningful production in Philadelphia and Tampa Bay.
Columbus Blue Jackets Highlights
Atkinson spent the bulk of his career with the Blue Jackets, where he scored the majority of his NHL goals and posted his career-high 41 goals in 2018-19. His first NHL goal came against Vancouver on October 10, 2011, and his first career hat trick was recorded on April 5, 2012, against the Colorado Avalanche. He added hat tricks against Chicago in 2015 and Montreal in 2016, and was selected to the 2017 NHL All-Star Game, cementing his place among the top scorers in franchise history.
Other Wins and Performances
With Philadelphia, Atkinson offered a steady offensive presence whenever healthy, providing timely goals and veteran poise. He joined Tampa Bay in 2024, where he rounded out his career as a respected depth forward on a Stanley Cup contender, adding experience and speed to the Lightning lineup.
Cam Atkinson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Atkinson was raised in Riverside, Connecticut, by his parents, Tom and Ellen Atkinson, and grew up as the middle child of five siblings. Hockey was a family affair, with all the Atkinson children learning to skate and play the game at a young age. The strong support of his parents, especially during his teenage leg injury, played a key role in his eventual NHL career.
Personal Life
During his time with the Philadelphia Flyers, Atkinson teamed up with teammates Scott Laughton and Joel Farabee to support local LGBTQ organizations in the Philadelphia area. His community work reflected a longstanding commitment to using his platform for positive social impact, both on and off the ice.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year brought the formal closing of Atkinson’s playing career. After going unsigned as an unrestricted free agent during the 2025 offseason, he and the Columbus Blue Jackets announced on October 8, 2025, that he would sign a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the organization that originally drafted him.
The Blue Jackets scheduled a pregame ceremony for October 16, 2025, before their home game against the Colorado Avalanche, giving fans a chance to honor one of the franchise’s most prolific right wingers. The moment capped a thirteen-year NHL journey that began with a sixth-round selection in 2008 and ended with a return to Columbus for a farewell celebration.
Atkinson exits the NHL with a resume that includes a 41-goal season, an All-Star selection, four career hat tricks, and more than 600 games of professional experience. His legacy in Columbus, Philadelphia, and Tampa Bay is defined by perseverance, scoring touch, and a commitment to the game and community that will long outlast his final shift.