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PRESS RELEASE: Preds sign 2010 pick Anthony Bitetto

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.

PHOTO CREDIT: Sarah Fuqua // Flickr (used with permission)