Watch: Blue Jackets legend Cam Atkinson reflects on career before retirement ceremony

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Thursday will be a very special night for Columbus Blue Jackets fans as the team honors one of its greatest players.

Cam Atkinson, 36, will be honored before Columbus' game against the Colorado Avalanche after he signed a one-day contract so he can retire with the team he spent ten seasons with. He and Blue Jackets president of hockey operations and general manager Don Waddell spoke with media members Thursday afternoon. You can watch Atkinson's retirement speech and more in the video player above.

He thanked everyone involved in his career from his parents, wife, three children, and of course the Blue Jackets family. "It was so special to be a Blue Jacket and obviously to play in front of the 5th line," said Atkinson. "They are a special group through the ups and the downs. Just happy to be able to call this place home."

Atkinson first appeared for the Blue Jackets during the 2011-12 season. In 627 games, Atkinson scored 213 goals (second only to Rick Nash), and provided 189 assists (fifth in the team’s history) to amass 402 points. He was named an all-star in the 2017 and 2019 seasons.

Atkinson was instrumental in leading the Jackets to the Eastern Conference semifinals in the 2019 season, scoring two goals and notching six assists in 10 postseason games. During that playoff run was the Blue Jackets historic sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round and Atkinson shared his fond memories of completing the historic upset.

"There were so many different moments from that," said Atkinson. "It was special to be a part of but the city, the organization, the fans, they deserve it more than anyone."

The Blue Jackets traded him to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021 and, after two seasons, he appeared in 39 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2024-25 season.

Atkinson is among six Blue Jackets on the team’s quarter-century team announced in January by the NHL, alongside Nash, Sergei Bobrovsky, Zach Werenski, Seth Jones and Artemi Panarin.

He also mentioned that he will be the first Columbus player to wear No. 13 when he takes the ice Thursday since Johnny Gaudreau was killed. "I will be thinking about him and his family as I take my final lap tonight," said Atkinson.

Atkinson said he hopes to one day work for the Blue Jackets in the front office but Waddell said he gave him the advice of spending time with family before taking that step. He will live in Columbus with his family and devote more time to the Battery Hockey Academy in Plain City.