• In 2014-15, Bittner finished fourth on the Winterhawks with 71 points (34-37—71) in 66 games. His plus-39 rating ranked third on the team behind Western Hockey League Player of the Year Oliver Bjorkstrand (selected 89th overall by CBJ in 2013) and linemate Nicolas Petan (selected 43rd overall by WPG in 2013). He added 12 points (4-8—12) in 17 playoff games before Portland was eliminated in the third round by eventual WHL champion Kelowna.

• Bittner recalls winning the 2013 WHL Championship as his most memorable hockey moment. He contributed 23 points (12-11—23) in 45 games as a rookie that season to help the Winterhawks set a franchise record for wins (57) en route to an appearance at the Memorial Cup.

• He won a silver medal with the U.S. at the 2013 Ivan Hlinka Memorial, collecting three points (2-1—3) in five games.

• Bittner and his older brothers, Mark and Ryan, grew up playing hockey on an outdoor rink in their backyard. Their father, Jon, built the rink each winter and also coached all three of his sons on the boys’ hockey team at Crookston High School.

• His cousin, Bart Buetow, played in the National Football League for the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.

NEWS

BITTNER'S SIZE MAKES HIM APPEALING 2015 DRAFT PROSPECT (click here)

FAVORITES

NHL team: Minnesota Wild
NHL player: Rick Nash, Ryan Getzlaf
Shootout move: "Shoot to wherever is open"
Goal celebration: "Fist pump"
Video game: Call of Duty
Movie: Interstellar
TV show: White Collar
Actor: Matthew McConaughey
Musician: Ed Sheeran
Website: Twitter, Instagram
Sport (other than hockey): Football
Athlete (non-hockey): Tom Brady