This just arrived from the Preds:
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.
Expect to see him in Milwaukee next season. He’s not a huge point producer, but has a reputation as a capable blueliner. Here’s what one Northeastern University observer wrote about his game back in February:
Bitetto’s offensive numbers are nothing to write home about. He probably won’t match his point total from last season. But Bitetto has limited his penalties minutes (66 last year, 24 this year) and he sits at +5 after being a -2 last season. And he has done this while playing with a freshman defenseman as a partner. He has played in every game since arriving on campus.
And you can follow him on Twitter at @abitetto7, too…