Photo Credit: Mitchell Leff/USA Today Sports
Chuck Fletcher and the Flyers entered into an offseason knowing that there were major changes in store for the team. After a debacle of the 2020-21 season and facing a difficult cap situation, the organization knew high priced fan favorites would have to be moved to address scoring and defensive depth. One of the top priorities for the team was to add a shoot first winger to play a top six forward. The Flyers pulled the trigger in a rare one-for-one deal, and traded Jakub Voracek for Cam Atkinson
The acquisition of Cam Atkinson highlighted some of the priorities that the Flyers had for their offseason most notably: Leadership, ability to play at 5-on-5, faster starts, and special teams. Before the two Covid shortened seasons, Atkinson averaged 20+ goals per season. His career high came in the 2018-2019 season when he scored 41 goals, to go along with his 28 assists.
Atkinson has been just as advertised, shooting from everywhere. He has literally done everything, and provides much needed energy to the lineup. Atkinson blocks shots, hits, and really wears his heart on his sleeve. He takes responsibility, that is what this young team is going to need in the future. Accountability is a an breath of fresh air for this organization, as it is very uncommon for players to openly take accountability.
Tonight Atkinson returns home to Columbus, yes I said home, as Atkinson plans to live in Columbus following his NHL career as he stated earlier in the season. He played 10 seasons in Columbus before being traded to Philadelphia, so there’s a lot of history and roots that he’s made in Columbus.
Atkinson was still is a fan favorite in Columbus, as he still is seen in out pouring of love from Columbus fans to this day, “I’m hoping for happy cheers, and no boos,” Atkinson said following practice yesterday. For his efforts, Columbus will have a special “Welcome home video” for him tonight, as Atkinson will try to continue to keep his emotions in check.
Atkinson continued, “I love Columbus. It’s where my two boys were born. We bought our house back, and we’re going to be there this summer. We plan on living there when I’m done playing hockey. So, even though I’m not there, I’m still trying to contribute as much as I can because that’s how much Columbus means to me.”
The former alternate Captain with the Blue Jackets in Atkinson is a class act, and speaks up when his team needs him the most. He is true when he says there are players that need to dig deeper, and it’s not Joel Farabee as he has done his best, as well, to keep this team afloat.
Atkinson is also very involved in charity, having started the Force Network Fund which benefits military and first responders and the Battery Hockey Academy which helps children get on the ice to play hockey.
He gets it, as Atkinson has already established a personal connection with the fans of Philadelphia. Atkinson has been a hit thus far, and it’s just three games into his tenure as a member of the Flyers organization. It appears that Philly and Atkinson are a match made in heaven.
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