Cam Atkinson to Retire as Blue Jacket with One-Day Contract

Columbus, Ohio – Forward Cam Atkinson will sign a one-day contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing him to retire as a member of the team, the organization announced today.

The signing will take place on Thursday, October 16, before the Blue Jackets face off against the Colorado Avalanche. Prior to the game, Atkinson will be honored in a ceremony at Nationwide Arena.

A press conference featuring Atkinson and Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell is scheduled for that morning at 11:30 a.m. ET. Fans can tune in to the event via the team’s website and YouTube page.

Atkinson, 36, played his first 10 NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets from 2011 to 2021, amassing 402 points through 213 goals and 189 assists in 627 games. He holds several franchise records, including second place for points and goals behind Rick Nash.

Notably, Atkinson represented the Blue Jackets at two NHL All-Star Games and is recognized for his remarkable six hat tricks, the most in franchise history. His 35 career postseason games with the team reflect his significant contributions, providing 26 points in playoff action.

The Riverside, Connecticut native was selected by Columbus in the sixth round (157th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft. Before joining the NHL, he completed three seasons at Boston College, where he earned First Team All-American honors and a national championship.

After concluding his tenure with the Blue Jackets, Atkinson played for the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning, ultimately accumulating 489 points across 809 career games.

The Blue Jackets are set to open their 2025-26 regular season at the Nashville Predators on October 9, at 8 p.m. ET, with live coverage on the FanDuel Sports Network Ohio.