The Flyers acquired Cam Atkinson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Jakub Voracek on Saturday, the fourth major trade they made in a week’s span.
Atkinson brings a solid NHL track record as a scoring winger and a contributor to both special teams units. He also developed a popular reputation among the fans and within the organization in Columbus. It already seems like he’s well on his way to doing the same in Philadelphia.
In an interview on the Flyers Daily podcast with Jason Myrtetus, Atkinson spoke about relationships he has with some players on the roster. He brought up Kevin Hayes, a former NCAA teammate at Boston College, and James van Riemsdyk, another American born player whom he’s crossed paths with. However, the most prominent relationship he discussed was with a former teammate no longer in the NHL.
“I’m best friends with Scotty Hartnell, who lives in Haddonfield (South Jersey),” Atkinson said. The two played three seasons together with the Blue Jackets. He went on to discuss the relationship between their wives and kids and a story about a summer trip with their families when Hartnell gave him a Gritty t-shirt.
Cam Atkinson in a Gritty shirt. pic.twitter.com/bdYJFwvvaL
— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) July 24, 2021
Atkinson wore the t-shirt to his first media availability session following the trade. He joked that he originally “thought they (Hartnell and Gritty) were the same person.”
References to one of the most personable Flyers of all-time and a mascot who never fails to lighten the mood already gives fans a reason to get behind Atkinson before he even steps on the ice.
Atkinson’s Legendary Story with Blue Jackets Fans
Back in 2014, Atkinson interacted with Columbus fans in the type of personable way that people wish could be more common from professional athletes. In anticipation for a home playoff game against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins, fans lined up at the Nationwide Arena box office 24 hours before tickets went on sale.
Atkinson, after hearing about the passion these fans were showing at the arena, withdrew money from a nearby ATM and approached them to pay for their tickets.
That kind of attitude goes a long way with Philadelphia fans, and a deep rooted connection to the Flyers is something that has unfortunately slipped away in recent years.
General manager Chuck Fletcher is trying to restore the identity of a hockey team that has fallen well short of expectations on the ice over the past nine seasons, but in doing so he has also brought in at least one player who can help restore the character of the franchise.
Atkinson’s reference to the crowd at the Wells Fargo Center as the “most electric in any building” following a Flyers goal or a win certainly didn’t hurt his first impression either.