A sixth-round pick (No. 157) by the Blue Jackets at the 2008 NHL Draft, Atkinson became a national champion with Boston College two years later, when he scored 53 points and led the NCAA with 30 goals in 42 games.
He scored 31 goals in 39 games the following season and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the player voted the best in NCAA men's ice hockey.
A sixth-round pick (No. 157) by the Blue Jackets at the 2008 NHL Draft, Atkinson became a national champion with Boston College two years later, when he scored 53 points and led the NCAA with 30 goals in 42 games.
He scored 31 goals in 39 games the following season and was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the player voted the best in NCAA men's ice hockey.
Atkinson signed a two-year contract with the Blue Jackets following his junior season. He made his NHL debut on Oct. 7, 2011 and scored his first NHL goal three days later against the Vancouver Canucks.
Following three straight seasons of at least 20 goals, Atkinson scored 35 goals in 2016-17 and replaced Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin at the NHL All-Star Game.
Atkinson signed a seven-year, $41.125 million contract with Columbus on Nov. 17, 2017.
He set NHL career highs in goals (41), assists (28) and points (69) in 2018-19 and helped the Blue Jackets win a Stanley Cup Playoff series for the first time, a four-game sweep against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference First Round. Atkinson scored two goals and six assists in 10 playoff games.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- Hockey East Second All-Star Team (2010)
- NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team (2010)
- Hockey East First All-Star Team (2011)
- NCAA East First All-American Team (2011)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (2017, 2019)
