Last week it was Joonas Rask, this week it’s Anthony Bitetto. Apparently General Manager David Poile is busy locking up his entire 2010 NHL Draft class one pick at a time.
Bitetto, a Northeastern University defenseman, has signed a two-year entry level contract with the team that drafted him 168th overall in Los Angeles, California.
His production took a slight dip this past season but he added some leadership qualities, serving as alternate captain as a sophomore.
We spent “Three Minutes With” the Island Park, New York native at last summer’s Rookie & Development Camp and we even sat down with him just days after being drafted.
The official press release is below.
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Nashville, Tenn. (March 29, 2012) – Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed 2010 draft pick Anthony Bitetto (AN-thu-nee biht-EHT-oh) to a two-year entry-level contract.
Bitetto, 20 (7/15/90), recently completed his sophomore season at Northeastern University, where he paced all Husky defensemen in points and goals (4g-11a-15pts). As a freshman in 2011-12, the 6-1, 210-pounder finished seventh among Hockey East defensemen in points (3g-17a-20pts), and tied for eighth in Conference rookie scoring, being named to the 2010-11 Hockey East All-Rookie Team. The Island Park, N.Y., native did not miss a game during his two-year collegiate career, compiling 35 points (7g-28a) in 72 games.
Nashville’s fourth choice, 168th overall (sixth round), in 2010 Entry Draft spent two seasons with the Indiana Ice from 2008-10, being named a 2010 All-USHL Second Team selection, and helping the Ice claim the 2009 Clark Cup as USHL champions.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Fuqua // Flickr (used with permission)