Steve Atkinson

For the cricketer of the same name, see Steve Atkinson (cricketer).
Steve Atkinson
Born (1948-10-16)October 16, 1948
Toronto, ON, CAN
Died May 6, 2003(2003-05-06) (aged 54)
Niagara Falls, ON, CAN
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
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 19681978

Stephen John "The Snail" Atkinson (October 16, 1948 – May 6, 2003) was a Canadian ice hockey player who played the positions of centre and right wing. Atkinson was born in Toronto, Ontario, but grew up in Barrie, Ontario.

Originally drafted in 1966 by the Detroit Red Wings, he was immediately traded to the Boston Bruins. Atkinson would join 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 would be 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 would also have a stint with the Toronto Toros of the World Hockey Association.

Atkinson died of a heart attack on May 6, 2003 at the age of 54.[1]

Career Statistics

    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
1966-67 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 44 31 35 66 42
1967-68 Niagara Falls Flyers OHA 50 37 36 73 61
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 OHASr 11 9 13 22 6
1977-78 Brantford Alexanders OHASr 33 15 28 43 4
1978-79 Welland Steelers OHASr 0 0 0 0 0
NHL Totals 302 60 51 111 104 1 0 0 0 0
WHA Totals 52 2 6 8 22

References

Preceded by
George Forgie
Detroit Red Wings first round draft pick
1966
Succeeded by
Ron Barkwell
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