Paul Bittner Explained

Paul Bittner
Team:Free agent
Former Teams:Cleveland Monsters
Väsby IK
Mora IK
Düsseldorfer EG
Stavanger Oilers
Position:Left wing
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lb:204
Shoots:Left
Birth Date:4 November 1996
Birth Place:Crookston, Minnesota, U.S.
Draft:38th overall
Draft Team:Columbus Blue Jackets
Draft Year:2015
Career Start:2016

Paul Bittner (born November 4, 1996) is an American professional ice hockey Winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for Düsseldorfer EG of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Bittner has played major junior hockey with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL). Bittner was rated as a top prospect who was widely projected to be a first round selection in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[1] He was, however, selected 38th overall, in the second round by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

In 2012, Bittner joined the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.[2] and in his first year he helped the Winterhawks capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup as the 2012–13 WHL Champions.[3] During the 2014–15 season he was rewarded for his outstanding play when he was selected to skate in the 2015 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.[4]

On August 20, 2015, Bittner was signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.[5] After attending the Blue Jackets training camp, Bittner was returned to his junior club, the Winterhawks for the 2015–16 season. Hampered by injury, Bittner was limited to just 25 games with Portland, recording 21 points. Upon the completion of the Winterhawks season and a return to health, Bittner was reassigned to AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, on April 13, 2016, to make his professional debut to end the regular season.[6]

Following his fourth season within the Blue Jackets organization, Bittner as a restricted free agent was not tendered a qualifying offer, releasing him to free agency.[7]

Bittner played two seasons in the Swedish HockeyAllsvenskan with Väsby IK and Mora IK, until he left during the 2021–22 season and opted to sign for the remainder of the season with German top flight club, Düsseldorfer EG of the DEL, on November 26, 2021.[8]

International play

Bittner competed with Team USA at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.[9]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Team League GP GPG A Pts PIM
2011–12Crookston HighUSHS25156211010000
2012–13Portland WinterhawksWHL4512112312190000
2013–14Portland WinterhawksWHL632227492721661211
2014–15Portland WinterhawksWHL66343771521748126
2015–16Portland WinterhawksWHL2510112121
2015–16Lake Erie MonstersAHL20000
2016–17Cleveland MonstersAHL3103310
2017–18Cleveland MonstersAHL52991817
2018–19Cleveland MonstersAHL50922312150000
2019–20Cleveland MonstersAHL55791641
2020–21Väsby IKAllsv14671316
2021–22Mora IKAllsv81342
2021–22Düsseldorfer EGDEL296410070110
2022–23Stavanger OilersNOR2144810
2022–23Düsseldorfer EGDEL263038
AHL totals1902543688950000

International

Awards and honors

HonorsYear
2013[10]
CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game2015[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Paul Bittner: the next ones profile . thehockeywriters.com . 2015-06-24 . 2015-06-24.
  2. News: The Winterhawks agree terms with Paul Bittner . . 2012-04-05 . 2013-04-05.
  3. Web site: Ed Chynoweth Cup Champions . . 2015-06-25 . 2015-06-25 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110315204025/http://www.whl.ca/page/the-ed-chynoweth-cup . March 15, 2011 . mdy-all .
  4. Web site: Bittner named to top prospects game . . 2015-01-29 . 2015-01-29.
  5. Web site: Blue Jackets sign forward Paul Bittner to entry-level contract . . 2015-08-20 . 2015-08-20.
  6. Web site: Blue Jackets assign Bittner to Monsters . . 2016-04-13 . 2016-04-13.
  7. Web site: What were hearing with the Blue Jackets . . October 6, 2020 . October 6, 2020.
  8. Web site: . 26 November 2021 . 26 November 2021 . German . DEG sign forward Paul Bittner until end of season.
  9. Web site: Paul Bittner prospect profile . hockeysfuture.com . 2015-06-26 . 2015-06-26.
  10. Web site: Ivan Hlinka Tournament commences . . 2013-09-23 . 2015-09-24.
  11. Web site: Team Orr dominates Team Cherry . . 2015-03-03 . 2015-03-03.