…In other news, fan drowns herself in tears…
So, yesterday, Cam Atkinson was sent back to the Jackets’ minor league affiliate, the Springfield Falcons. After a winless first week of games, going 0-3-1, perhaps it wasn’t surprising that the front office and coaching staff thought it a good idea to mix up the roster a bit, sending down a player who was a true rookie and had only played, what, 9 or so games, in Springfield. The Jackets brought up the offensive AHL juggernaut Alexandre Giroux, who was the last player cut in training camp.
I’ve heard all sorts of well thought out reasons why Atkinson was sent to Springfield by wiser hockey minds than mind and I’ve nodded sagely through all the explanations. Yes, it is possible, Atkinson was sent to the minor leagues in order to work Ryan Johanson in for the games he is permitted to play in order to make an informed decision if RyJo should be sent to his junior team (thanks for that very perceptive viewpoint, Kat!) or stay in Columbus. Yes, it is possible that the club wanted Atkinson to improve on his game, as it is so much faster in the NHL, and no one wanted to see him discouraged. Yes, it is possible……
But, here’s the thing: I DON’T CARE!
"Like child deprived of her favorite toy, I am in the whining, pouting part of parting with Cam. I picked 2 rookies that I “adopted” this year from all the lovely talent shown me and I can’t see either of them! Mark Deckanich is out with a high ankle sprain and I WANTED TO SEE HIM, if only on the bench backing up Steve Mason. “That’s okay”, I thought, “you can watch Cam, while you are wating for Dexshow to come back.” And now I learn that Cam, the young player who made me smile every time I saw his number on the ice, who never backed down from anything is gooooooone…….. *disolves into tears*"
I know Cam will do well in Springfield. He’s too talented and too feisty not to thrive wherever he is planted. I trust in our coaches and GM to do what is right for him. But I am, to put it mildly, heartbroken. When friends ask me at games if he is “my new favorite” and I simper like a teen-ager with a crush, yeah, you know he’s been adopted as one of my boys and I won’t be happy until he is on the ice back here in C-bus.
Falcons, you take good care of Cam! He’s only on loan to you and is coming right back to Columbus! (He’d better be right back or I may truly drown in tears…)