ATKINSON ASSIGNED TO FALCONS

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned forward Cam Atkinson to the Springfield Falcons, Columbus’ American Hockey League affiliate, Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Scott Howson announced today.

Atkinson, 22, has appeared in four games with the Blue Jackets this season and scored his first NHL goal against Vancouver on Monday. He made his NHL debut with the club Oct. 7 vs. Nashville. He appeared in five games with Springfield at the end of the 2010-11 season and recorded 3-2-5 and was +2 in five games.

Prior to making his professional debut with the Falcons last season, Atkinson completed his junior season at Boston College in 2010-11, where he registered 31-21-52 points, 28 penalty minutes and a +21 plus/minus rating in 39 games. The Riverside, Connecticut native set a career high in goals, which ranked second in the nation, while ranking third (tied) in points and sixth (tied) in power play goals (11).

Columbus’ eighth pick, 157th overall, in the 2008 Entry Draft, he finished his career at Boston College with 68-56-124, 86 penalty minutes and a cumulative plus/minus rating of +42 in 117 games. He had 30-23-53, 30 penalty minutes and was +26 in 42 games in 2009-10, helping the Eagles win the National Championship. He was named the NCAA Northeast Regional Most Outstanding Player and was selected to the NCAA All-Tournament Team. Prior to his collegiate career, he tallied 69-81-150 and 38 penalty minutes in 80 games for Avon Old Farms (Conn.) High School, helping the school win the New England Ice Hockey Championship in 2006-07 and 2007-08.