FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NOVEMBER 17, 2017

COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS SIGN ALL‐STAR RIGHT WING CAM ATKINSON TO A SEVEN‐YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION

COLUMBUS, OHIO ‐‐‐ The have signed right wing Cam Atkinson to a seven‐year, $41.125 million contract extension that will keep him with the club through the 2024‐25 season, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.

Atkinson, 28, has registered 125 goals and 108 assists for 233 points with 106 minutes and a +8 plus/minus rating in 397 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets. He ranks second in club history in goals and game‐winning goals (25), fourth in points, seventh in games played and 10th in assists and is one of three players (Rick Nash, R.J. Umberger) in club history to score 20 or more goals in four consecutive seasons.

“Cam Atkinson has played an integral role in the growth of our team over the past four seasons and we couldn’t be happier that he will remain a Columbus Blue Jacket for many years to come,” said Kekalainen. “He has improved every year he’s been here and has become a player our team can use in all situations. We believe his best years are still in front of him.”

Atkinson was selected by Columbus in the sixth round, 157th overall, in the 2008 NHL Draft. He has led the club in scoring the past two seasons and was also tops in goals in 2016‐17 when he tallied a career‐high 35‐27‐62 in 82 games and made his NHL All‐Star Game debut. In 2015‐16, he notched 27‐26‐53 and 22 penalty minutes in 81 outings. He has collected 4‐2‐6 and four penalty minutes in 15 games this season.

The Riverside, native made his Blue Jackets debut in 2011‐12 and after splitting two seasons between Columbus and the ’s , he picked up 21‐19‐40 in 79 games in his first full NHL campaign in 2013‐14. He then tallied 22‐18‐40 in 78 games in 2014‐15 and 27‐26‐53 in 81 games during the 2015‐16 campaign. Prior to joining the Blue Jackets, he played three seasons at , racking up 68‐56‐124 in 117 games from 2008‐11. He led the nation in goals with 30 and helped the Eagles win the NCAA championship in 2009‐10 and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player in 2010‐11 after tallying 31‐21‐52 in 39 games.

Tonight’s game between the Blue Jackets and Rangers from Nationwide Arena is set for 7 p.m. ET. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre‐game show starting at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Eldorado Scioto Downs Blue Jackets Radio Network, including Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan and online at BlueJackets.com.

‐ CBJ ‐

Contacts: Todd Sharrock, Vice President of Communications & Team Services – 614/246‐4157 or [email protected] Glenn Odebralski, Manager of Communications – 614/246‐0288 or [email protected]

Tickets for all home games are currently available for purchase online at BlueJackets.com, Ticketmaster.com, or in person at the Big Lots Box Office at Nationwide Arena, OhioHealth Chiller Ice Rinks and the FOX Sports Ohio Blue Line at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing. Fans may purchase tickets by phone at (800) 745‐3000.