The '01 native of Oakland, NJ is in his 2nd season with the 87's, and look no further than the numbers to see the tremendous improvement that Atkinson displayed from year #1 to year #2. After posting 7 points through 23 total Eastern Hockey League (EHL) games last year, Atkinson has tallied more that five times that total with 40 total points in 48 games to date this year.

"I think he’s one of the top 200-foot players in our league, and Castleton is getting an absolutely phenomenal hockey player and a phenomenal human being," said 87's head coach and general manager Adam Houli. "I'm very happy for Jason; he put in a ton of work over the offseason to get rewarded and play in a conference like that, it’s a match made in heaven for those guys.”

Atkinson is one of two EHL players that have committed to the Spartans so far this year, as he will join up with another forward that participated in the 1st Annual EHL All-Star Classic, Anthony Persi of the Walpole Express. Overall, Atkinson is beyond grateful to have landed a spot with a program in the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC).

"I’ve been working for this most of my life, hockey has been such a huge part of it and I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the 87’s helping me push through it," said Atkinson. "The coaches at Castleton are excellent, they’re looking to build a great program going forward, the campus is beautiful and everything about it is fantastic.”

Houli went on to talk more about Atkinson's development over the last two years, putting emphasis on the work ethic that was delivered both on and off the ice.

“It’s all about the hard work he put in," added Houli. "Last year he was going up against some of the top centers in the league, including Dante Terramani who was ahead of him on our depth chart. But he put in so much work after last season, and he knew that was the type of player he was going to be and that’s why we loved him and that’s why we wanted to make sure if he developed, he was going to get rewarded from it. To see it happen, your plan and for him to put it all together, it’s the best part about it. He trusted us, he believed in us, and now he gets rewarded from it.”

The next reward that Atkinson and the 87's are looking for is a ticket to the 2022 EHL Frozen Finals, which they will try and earn on Thursday when they host the Connecticut Chiefs for the Central vs. South Wild Card Game.

Learn more about the 87's on the team's official website, and check out the full 2021-22 NCAA commitment list.