ECHL: Josh Atkinson Heads Overseas

Originally posted on Inside The Rink | Last updated Jun 12, 2026 12:23 AM ET

Josh Atkinson is heading to France to play with the Angers (Ligue Magnus) after spending the 2025-26 season with the Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Fort Wayne Komets. Atkinson, 34, spent five seasons playing in the ECHL, he recorded 27 goals and 103 assists for 130 points in 221 games with the Atlanta Gladiators (2015-18), Allen Americans (2018-19), Greenville Swamp Rabbits and Fort Wayne Komets. The 34-year-old defenseman spent two seasons playing in the AHL with the Iowa Wild before heading overseas in 2021. During his time with the Wild, he put up 13 assists for 13 points in 76 games. He is the second member of the Komets to head overseas since the season ended, joining Matt Brown.

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Overseas Career

Atkinson spent four seasons overseas in Hungary and Germany playing in the ICEHL and DEL with the Fehérvár AV19 and Bietigheim Steelers. During the three seasons he played with the Fehévár AV19, he put up 25 goals and 55 assists for 80 points in 136 Games. Atkinson added four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 27 playoff games with the Fehévár AV19. In 2022, he headed to Germany to play with the Bietigheim Steelers, recording one goal and six assists for seven points in 17 games.

Junior Career

Prior to going pro, Josh Atkinson played two seasons in the AJHL with the Lloydminster Bobcats. He put up 15 goals and 38 assists for 53 points in 112 games. He added two goals and two assists for four points in twelve playoff games with the Bobcats. After his time with the Bobcats, Atkinson decided to take the NCAA route and play Division I hockey at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. During his four seasons playing with the Nanooks, he recorded eight goals and 40 assists for 48 points in 144 games.

This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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