Byron Bitz

rdf:langString Byron Bitz

rdf:langString Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

rdf:langString Right

rdf:langString Byron John Bitz (born July 21, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. He last played with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). A third- or fourth-line forward, he was known for his size and physicality. A native of Saskatchewan, Bitz played minor hockey in his hometown of Saskatoon. After earning rookie of the year honours in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Nanaimo Clippers, he was selected 107th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. Before turning professional with the Bruins organization, he spent four years playing college hockey with the Cornell Big Red, helping the team to an ECAC Hockey championship in 2005 and serving as captain in 2006–07 as a senior. After signing with the Bruins in August 2007, Bitz played one season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Providence Bruins, Boston's minor league affiliate. The following season, he earned a spot on Boston's roster. In March 2010, he was traded to the Florida Panthers. His tenure with Florida was beset with injuries, however, and he missed the entire 2010–11 season with a sports hernia. Becoming an unrestricted free agent in July 2011, he signed with the Vancouver Canucks.