Cam Atkinson 'didn't appreciate' how Columbus Blue Jackets handled trade for Jakub Voracek
It was a shot across the bow.
Cam Atkinson, who spent the first 10 years of his NHL career as a Blue Jacket, said Thursday that the transition to becoming a Philadelphia Flyer was “relatively easy” for him and his family.
The July trade gave them ample time to find a place to live, he said. He mentioned his familiarity with several new teammates. He'd also gotten advice from close friend Scott Hartnell, a former forward for the Blue Jackets and Flyers.
Atkinson then dropped a verbal bombshell.
"You know, I love it here," he said after a morning skate to prepare for Thursday night's matchup against the Blue Jackets. "And for me, everything happens for a reason. You know, I think I was born to wear the Flyers' jersey.”
It was almost as stunning to hear those words as it was to process the news he’d been traded for Jakub Voracek, whose NHL career began with the Blue Jackets in 2008-09, the same year Atkinson was drafted in the sixth round.
Born to wear a Flyers’ jersey?
It was like watching Atkinson rip the logo off his No. 13 Blue Jackets sweater, replace it with a Flyers’ logo and flash the grin that made fans in Columbus laugh many times. Atkinson proudly wore the Blue Jackets’ uniform for 627 games, 213 goals, 189 assists and 402 points — not to mention 10-16-26 in 35 playoff games over five postseasons.
He also did numerous things to help the greater Columbus area, where he plans to live after his playing career ends and where he maintains part ownership in The Battery Hockey Academy.
Atkinson was asked if the trade created hard feelings. He said all the right things and thanked all the right people, but Atkinson also admitted there are "mixed emotions'" about the trade and how it went down.
The night before it was completed, Atkinson helped the Blue Jackets welcome three new first-round picks to the Blue Jackets at a draft party at Nationwide Arena. The day it happened, on the draft's second day, his oldest son, Declan, turned 3 and had a Blue Jackets-themed party at their house.
Atkinson had even arranged for Stinger, the Jackets' mascot, to make an appearance.
“I guess, at the time, I was just shell-shocked, being at the draft party the night before,” Atkinson said. “That’s the only thing that … I guess I didn’t appreciate it. I wish they would’ve given me a little bit more of a heads-up.”
That’s not typically how it works, though, even for stars who have given a lot to their team and community. The business side can be harsh.
“It was just a crazy day,” said Atkinson, who now wears No. 89 on his jersey. “But, no, there’s no bad blood at all. Business is business. There’s certain things you don’t like about certain businesses, and unfortunately that’s one of those things, but I couldn’t be more excited to join this organization and the history. They’ve taken me in with open arms and I love putting on that Flyers jersey.”
Blue Jackets get Jakub Voracek back from COVID protocols list
Voracek went to bed Wednesday thinking he wouldn’t be able to play against his former team. A late-night phone call made it possible, as the veteran forward learned he’d tested negative for COVID-19 and could join the team in Philadelphia.
Voracek was booked onto a redeye flight Thursday and went straight to the arena.
“I got here pretty quickly,” Voracek said. “I went into the Flyers’ locker room to say ‘hi’ to the boys. It’s the least thing I can do. And I didn’t get kicked out, so it was good. But we chatted for a little bit. Unfortunately, I couldn’t come (Wednesday), so we couldn’t have a dinner. But I’m sure there’s going to be plenty of time to do that in the future.”
Werenski didn’t initially believe Atkinson/Voracek trade was real
Nobody but the front offices of the Blue Jackets and Flyers foresaw the Atkinson-for-Voracek deal.
It was a 1-for-1 swap of veteran top-six forwards on the draft’s final day and not one draft pick was included either way. It was stunning, to say the least, from the Blue Jackets’ end of the swap. Atkinson was an alternate captain, a 10-year veteran and remained an integral part of the team’s leadership group.
That’s why defenseman Zach Werenski couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the news break on Twitter.
“I was actually at a bachelor party when Cam got traded, the morning of, and I remember I was eating breakfast and I saw it on Twitter,” Werenski said. “I thought it was fake. So, I ‘face-timed’ him and he was like, ‘Yeah, I just got traded,’ and I couldn’t believe it. I’m sure a lot of guys couldn’t believe it, but that’s the business side of it. Teams make business decisions for their teams and what they need and I think both guys are thriving in their new cities and are helping their teams out.”
Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen visits Cam Atkinson before Flyers’ skate
Atkinson’s relationship with Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen goes back to his first season of professional hockey in 2011, when Larsen was an assistant coach with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.
Larsen coached Atkinson in that role and eventually as the Falcons’ head coach for two AHL seasons in what turned out to be a much longer time together. Larsen made the jump to assistant in Columbus in 2014-15, a year after Atkinson’s first full NHL season, and they developed a close bond during a seven-year NHL tenure.
“Him and I, we came up together in the Blue Jackets’ organization,” Atkinson said. “He was one of my first coaches in the minors and we’ve been together a long time – through ups and downs, knowing his family, his kids. I have a lot of respect for that guy and we actually keep in touch a decent amount, which is great.”
Larsen made sure to say greet Atkinson upon arrival Thursday at Wells Fargo Center, visiting with his former pupil on the bench.
“He’s definitely one of those guys I can point out, who has helped me with my career, on and off the ice, really,” Atkinson said. “So, I have nothing but the utmost respect for ‘Lars’ and his family, and how he goes about his business and just to call him a friend, it’s an honor.”
The feeling is mutual.
“He came into the league with me down in the minors,” Larsen said. “We played some years there and he worked his way up and I coached him here, so I was there right from the start with him and you could tell right away he was going to be a special player. Even being an undersized forward, he had tremendous will, competitiveness, a knack to score … a very tenacious player. So, my guess is he’ll be flying (in the game).”
bhedger@dispatch.com
@BrianHedger
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Former Blue Jacket Cam Atkinson 'born to wear the Flyers jersey'
