The Blue Jackets announced this afternoon that they would be signing former star Cam Atkinson to a one day contract on October 16th, allowing him to retire in the Union Blue. This is a terrific way to honor a loyal Central Ohio ambassador.
The ceremony will take place prior to the CBJ game against the Colorado Avalanche, at home that night.
In one way, you could say the team is righting a wrong. Though, it is a wrong that came up as the team righted another wrong. Cam was traded in the summer of 2021, as the team reacquired former 1st round pick Jakub Voracek.
Now, with Atkinson riding off into the sunset after a solid NHL career, the Jackets are doing the right thing by bringing him home. It's not a stretch to say that he is one of the most successful homegrown talents in franchise history.
Originally picked by the club in the 6th round (#157 overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft, the undersized winger beat the odds and became a star in the NHL. In 13 seasons, he accrued 809 games, scoring 253 goals and 489 points.
Most of that was in 10 seasons with the Blue Jackets, where Cam was a core piece for the team as they had their most significant run of success throughout the 2010s. This was highlighted by his franchise record-tying 41 goal season in 2018-19. In fact, his name is stapled all throughout the CBJ record books.
He sits third all-time in games played for the Jackets (627), second in goals (213), fifth in assists (189), second in points (402), first in shorthanded goals (16), and hat tricks (6).
His on-ice efforts are only surpassed by his off-ice personality.
But, this recognition is about much more than Cam's on-ice contributions to the Blue Jackets. He immediately became one of the most beloved players in franchise history because of his off-ice personality and willingness to give back to the community.
Even after being traded, he has remained an outspoken ambassador for not only the Blue Jackets, but also the city of Columbus. His contributions have been invaluable to this franchise as they've looked to make their mark around the NHL.
It's a classy move by the organization to repay him and give him a chance to retire here, where he belongs. Cam deserves as much, for everything he gave to the city and the 5th Line.