The Philadelphia Flyers underwent a roster overhaul in July. One of their major additions was winger Cam Atkinson.
Atkinson will leave the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team he’s been with his entire career, and come to one of the toughest markets in the NHL, Philadelphia.
Hockey can be tough, no matter where you play, but when you put on the orange and the black, you’re held to a higher standard. The player who was traded for Atkinson, Jakub Voracek, certainly knows that standard well.
Atkinson and his family touched down in Philly last month, and they got going right away. They went to Voorhees to meet his new teammates. They visited the sites throughout the city. They went to the Wells Fargo Center.
In a recent video released by the team, Atkinson walked into the locker room, saw his jersey for the first time, and then was greeted by none other than Gritty.
Gritty was wearing a t-shirt of Atkinson (who was wearing a t-shirt of him).
The team, the history, the grit, the cheesesteaks.
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) August 12, 2021
@CamAtkinson13 is feeling right at home in Philly. pic.twitter.com/c7co9l72i8
“Dear Cam,
Welcome to the Philadelphia Flyers. I got you and your fam some swag so you don’t have to wear your wife’s clothes anymore.
Love,
Gritty
P.S. call me.
P.P.S. I can’t talk, text me,” Gritty wrote in a heartfelt letter to Atkinson.
It’s a match made in hockey heaven.
The relationship Gritty has made with some of the Flyers players over the years makes coming to Philadelphia less intimidating and more fun. Players can tell their little ones that they get to meet Gritty, and while he might be just a bit scary, his squeaky toy hands are sure to make anyone smile.
But just a few years ago, the Flyers didn’t have their orange menace, super star mascot.
Who would greet the families coming into Philadelphia, who would make the kids laugh and make families feel at home? Who would always be rooting for you, no matter what?
Before Gritty, none of those questions could be answered correctly. The Flyers marketing department has hit home run after home run with Gritty, and they haven’t swung and missed yet.
He makes the game better for everyone involved. From throwing comically over-sized hats onto the ice to dancing with Kool and the Gang… yes, that’s an actual thing that happened. Gritty has created more Flyers fans than anything or anyone else ever has.
So thank you Gritty, we love you.