BC's Cam Atkinson Turns Pro, Signs With Columbus Blue Jackets

On the heels of Friday's first round upset to Colorado College, Boston College forward Cam Atkinson has decided to forego his senior year, signing an entry level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Atkinson will be assigned to the Jackets' AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons and will play the rest of the year an hour and a half down the Mass Pike in Springfield.

Atkinson will likely start in Springfield next season but could be called up by Columbus before the start of next season. The Blue Jackets have just 77 points this season and are currently in 12th place in the Western Conference standings.

Atkinson finishes his BC career with 124 points in 117 games (68 goals, 56 assists). Cam's 68 goals place him 22nd on the school's all-time goal scoring list and 47th on the school's all-time points list. He was a 6th round selection by Columbus in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

With the loss of Brian Gibbons and Joe Whitney to graduation, BC's loses all three forwards on this year's top line, and next year's top line will look very different in 2011-12. In addition, York loses three of this year's top five point scorers -- Atkinson (52 points), Gibbons (51) and Joe Whitney (31).

Congratulations and best of luck to Atkinson as he continues his career in the NHL.

For more reactions to Atkinson going pro, check out SB Nation's Columbus Blue Jackets site The Cannon.