Steve Atkinson

Steven John Atkinson (October 16, 1948 – May 6, 2003) was a Canadian ice hockey player who played the positions of centre and right wing. He played in both the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association from 1969 to 1976.

Early life Atkinson was born in Toronto, Ontario, but grew up in Barrie, Ontario. Guided by Hap Emms in Barrie, Emms brought Atkinson along with him when he moved the Flyers from Barrie to Niagara Falls. On April 26, 1968, he scored the winning goal in Game 8 to eliminate the Kitchener Rangers in the OHL Championship Series on the way to a Flyers Memorial Cup title. Atkinson had 19 goals in 29 playoff games that year.

Career

Originally drafted in 1966 by the Boston Bruins, after the Bruins acquired the pick from the Detroit Red Wings in February 1966. In 1968-69 he joined the Bruins' affiliate the Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League and scored 80 points in 65 games, winning rookie of the year.

Atkinson joined two expansion teams during his career. He was claimed by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1970 NHL Expansion Draft, and he spent four seasons with them. In the 1974 NHL Expansion Draft he was claimed by the Washington Capitals. During his only season with the Capitals, he became the first player in franchise history to score on a penalty shot on February 1, 1975, against the Vancouver Canucks. Atkinson also had a one-season stint with the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association.

Personal Atkinson died of a heart attack on May 6, 2003, at the age of 54.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1964–65 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 15 1 0 1 0 — — — — — 1965–66 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 39 8 7 15 12 6 5 2 7 2 1966–67 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 44 31 35 66 42 10 6 5 11 4 1967–68 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 50 37 36 73 61 19 14 10 24 15 1968–69 Boston Bruins NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1968–69 Oklahoma City Blazers CHL 65 40 40 80 62 12 4 0 4 13 1969–70 Oklahoma City Blazers CHL 63 29 23 52 63 — — — — — 1970–71 Buffalo Sabres NHL 57 20 18 38 12 — — — — — 1971–72 Buffalo Sabres NHL 67 14 10 24 26 — — — — — 1972–73 Buffalo Sabres NHL 61 9 9 18 36 1 0 0 0 0 1973–74 Buffalo Sabres NHL 70 6 10 16 22 — — — — — 1974–75 Richmond Robins AHL 22 11 18 29 6 7 1 4 5 15 1974–75 Washington Capitals NHL 46 11 4 15 8 — — — — — 1975–76 Toronto Toros WHA 52 2 6 8 22 — — — — — 1975–76 Buffalo Norsemen NAHL 37 30 31 61 38 — — — — — 1976–77 Erie Blades NAHL 28 18 20 38 19 — — — — — 1976–77 Brantford Alexanders OHA Sr 11 9 13 22 6 — — — — — 1977–78 Brantford Alexanders OHA Sr 33 15 28 43 4 — — — — — WHA totals 52 2 6 8 22 — — — — — NHL totals 302 50 51 111 104 1 0 0 0 0