Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Cam Atkinson was benched, on and off throughout the season for the Flyers. It was his first season back from missing the entire 2022-23 campaign due to an injury. Of course, like most athletes were turning from missing a substantial amount of time, he struggled down the stretch.
Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella, as he always does, would not elaborate as to why Atkinson was bench publicly to the media. Believe it or not, Tortorella and Atkinson have a great relationship, even with the benchings. But Atkinson’s family helped him throughout the season, “It puts everything in perspective,” Atkinson told me at practice before the outdoor game about his family. “This is why we do it. With the kids, this is what it’s all about. My wife is a pretty good skater, but that was all me teaching the kids how to skate (Laughing).” Atkinson, and of course, any other player that had kids or what not, were able to have their entire families on the ice following practice, the day before the outdoor game.
Atkinson has been through a lot, and he will use this as motivation in order to prepare for the 2024-25 season. He started the 2022-23 season off strong with an early quick eight goals, but his play dipped as the season wore on, mainly due to missing so much time over the course of the past season or so. It was tough to get back into the flow. Some athletes can rebound right away, but it’s unfair to put every athlete on one another’s level. Every athlete is different and how they recover and rebound ailments. Atkinson showed promise early on in the season that he can be relied upon to score some big goals, so let’s see how he rebounds this coming season.
He is a class act and great inside the locker room, and Atkinson Loved the Flyers locker room this past season. Atkinson remains a pillar inside the community, and that will never change, “I have been in the league 13 years. I’ve been a part of some special groups, especially with my time in Columbus,” Atkinson said at the locker room. “This is up there, if not the best locker room I’ve ever been a part of. The guys are really putting their bodies on the line and it shows.”
“This is up there, if not the best locker room I’ve ever been a part of.” – Cam Atkinson said to Jamey Baskow
During the Summer months, many players like to attend summer leagues or develop their own type of scrimmages to train, stay fresh, and hit the ice. Atkinson will take to the ice in Columbus at Battery Hockey Camp once again more than likely, and he may finish off the day with his favorite sub, ” Chicken parm sub….give Bucci credit for that one (Atkinson said laughing).” Atkinson said.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
“I had a lot of offseason time to get back on the ice. My game needs to elevate more. I had the time to get myself ready,” said Atkinson. This is just who Atkinson is. He offers no excuses for his play, and takes everything on the chin like a pro is supposed to. Does everything make sense to him? No, obviously, but all he can try to do is get better, while preparing for next season.
That’s just the type of player he is, he wears his heart on his sleeve. Atkinson is a class act, nothing more, nothing less. Hopefully, he is able to rebound strong next season, and become that player in everyone is used to seeing of Atkinson.
