Blue Jackets press release...
COLUMBUS, OHIO -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed forward Cam Atkinson to a two-year entry level contract, club Executive Vice President and General Manager Scott Howson announced today.
Atkinson, 21, just completed his junior season at Boston College, where he registered 31 goals and 21 assists for 52 points, 28 penalty minutes and a +21 plus/minus rating in 39 games. He set a career high in goals, which led the nation for the second consecutive season, while ranking third (tied) in points and sixth (tied) in power play goals (11). He led Hockey East in goals, points (tied) and shorthanded goals (4-tied), was third in game-winning goals (5-tied) and fourth in power play goals.
The Riverside, Connecticut native finished his career at Boston College with 68-56-124, 86 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus/minus rating of +42 in 117 games. He had 30-23-53, 30 penalty minutes and was +26 in 42 games in 2009-10, helping the Eagles win the National Championship. He was named the NCAA Northeast Regional Most Outstanding Player and was selected to the NCAA All-Tournament Team. Prior to his collegiate career, he tallied 69-81-150 and 38 penalty minutes in 80 games for Avon Old Farms (Conn.) High School, helping the school win the New England Ice Hockey Championship in 2006-07 and 2007-08.
The Blue Jackets return to action tonight when they host the Vancouver Canucks. Game time from Nationwide Arena is 5 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio HD begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 5:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Wheeling Island Hotel & Casino Blue Jackets Radio Network -- including flagship station 97.1 The Fan -- and online at BlueJackets.com.
