Cam Atkinson
A sixth-round draft pick who became a relentless scoring winger and the heart of the Columbus Blue Jackets for a decade.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American ice hockey player·Birthday: June 5·Millennials
Biography
Cam Atkinson’s story is one of perpetual defiance. Drafted 157th overall in 2008, he was an afterthought, a smallish forward from Boston College. Yet, he carved out a 13-year NHL career defined by a motor that never quit and a nose for the net. In Columbus, he wasn't just a player; he was an identity. The Blue Jackets, often overlooked, found their scrappy spirit mirrored in Atkinson’s game. He became their all-time leader in shorthanded goals, a testament to his opportunistic hustle. His peak season in 2018-19 saw him score 41 goals, a stunning output for a player once deemed too slight. Trades to Philadelphia and Tampa Bay late in his career couldn't dim the legacy he built in Ohio, where he proved that heart and tenacity can rewrite a draft-day narrative.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Cam was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cam Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Cam's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored a career-high 41 goals for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2018-19 NHL season.
- Became the Columbus Blue Jackets' franchise all-time leader in shorthanded goals.
- Played over 800 NHL games across 13 seasons after being a sixth-round draft pick.
- Represented the United States at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
Did You Know?
He played college hockey at Boston College, winning an NCAA national championship in 2010.
His father was a professional soccer player for the Boston Bolts.
He is known for his extensive charitable work in Columbus, particularly with children's hospitals.
“I’ve always had to prove people wrong, and I’m okay with that.”
