Steve Atkinson

For the cricketer of the same name, see Steve Atkinson (cricketer).

Steve Atkinson
Born	(1948-10-16)October 16, 1948 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died	May 6, 2003(2003-05-06) (aged 54) Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	NHL Boston Bruins Buffalo Sabres Washington Capitals WHA Toronto Toros
NHL draft	6th overall, 1966 Boston Bruins
Playing career	1968–1978

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

1974-75 headshot of Atkinson for Washington Capitals

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 season						Playoffs
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

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
• Steve Atkinson at Find a Grave