Winnipeg Blues defenseman Ryan Bittner has committed to Wisconsin-Stevens Point for the upcoming season.
The 20 year old defenseman put up 42 points in 57 games last season for the Blues. Bittner says the season was very good, but the end was disappointing.
“Definitely not how anyone of us wanted the season to end”, Bittner says talking about the Blues early exit from the post season.
“For myself, I feel I had a pretty slow start but thought my game really picked up and I had a good second half.”
Bittner finished 5th on the team in assists (35) while playing in all situations against the top lines in the MJHL.
“The leve in the league was very high these past two years and it helped me make quicker decisions and learn to really go with the flow of the game without doing too much.”
Wisconsin-Stevens Point is an NCAA Division III school, and Bittner knows the leve is going to be even higher than the MJHL, but feels he’s prepared.
“The coaching staff knew when to be tough on me and when to back off”, adds Bittner. “They would show me different ways of looking at the game which in turn developed my game to where I am now.”
And with the leve of play many Blues fans saw Bittner playing at last year, it won’t take long for Bittner to be a key player for Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
The native of Crookston, Minnesota is planning on majoring in Athletic Training.