Hangin' Out With ... Columbus winger Cam Atkinson
Here's this month's Hangin' Out, featuring Blue Jackets winger and Greenwich, Conn., native Cam Atkinson (@CamAtkinson13).
What was the hardest aspect of being an NHL rookie?
“I would say just not really knowing your place. You can’t be vocal so you just have to wait until you’re called on. Just being a young guy and not knowing what’s going to happen day in and day out.”
Aside from training, what keeps you busy during the summer?
“Well, I’ve got a big family. I’ve got five brothers. They keep me busy. I’m hanging out with them, playing golf and doing other activities.”
If hockey ceased to exist, what line of work would you get into?
“I’m big into sports, so I’d hopefully find my niche in another sport. I’d like to be a coach or a scout or something like that, or get into commentating.”
What kind of car do you drive?
“I just bought a new 2013 Cadillac Escalade.”
Do you have any superstitions?
“I like to take a nap during the day and usually eat the same meal (chicken and pasta) before the game.”
Which teammate has the worst fashion sense?
“I would say Ryan Johansen. I like to give him a hard time. He sort of hasn’t figured it out yet, fashion-wise.”
Which teammate would make the best TV analyst?
“I’d say Derick Brassard. He’s a smart guy. He’s got that French-Canadian accent, so he’s a little hard to understand sometimes, but he’s funny and I think he’d be good at that.”
What was the worst course you had to take in school?
“Probably language. I took Spanish. In college, it’s a little bit tougher and they expect more out of you.”
If forced to do karaoke, what song would you pick?
“Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
“Probably Superman, just because he’s got all the powers he needs to rule the world.”
FAVORITES
Movie: “Hall Pass”
TV show: “Entourage”
Band/artist: Wiz Khalifa
Casino game: Blackjack
Road city: Vancouver
NHL player growing up: Martin St. Louis
NHL player on Twitter: Paul Bissonnette (@biznasty2point0)
Restaurant: “A place called Gabriel’s back in Greenwich, Conn.”
Hobby/activity: “Besides hockey? Probably golf.”
Store: Louis Vuitton
EITHER/OR
Home, road or alternate jersey: “I like the third jersey we have.”
“The Office,” “Mad Men” or “The Walking Dead”: “The Office”
“Star Wars” or “Star Trek”: “Man, I haven’t seen those since I was 5 years old, but I’d have to go with ‘Star Wars.’”
Letterman, Leno or Conan: “I watch all of them, but I follow Conan on Twitter, so I’ll go with him.”
Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks or Tim Horton’s: Starbucks
Day games or night games: Night
IN YOUR BAG
Skates: Bauer
Gloves: Easton
Stick: Easton
Helmet: Easton
This article originally appeared in the August 2012 issue of New England Hockey Journal.
Twitter: @JesseNEHJ
Email: jconnolly@hockeyjournal.com