COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned forward Paul Bittner from the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks to Cleveland’s Lake Erie Monsters, Columbus’ American Hockey League affiliate, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.
Bittner, 19, recorded 10 goals and 11 assists for 21 points with 21 penalty minutes in 25 games with Portland this season. The Crookston, Minnesota native posted career highs with 34-37-71, 52 penalty minutes and a +39 plus/minus rating in 66 games with the Winterhawks in 2014-15.
Columbus’ third pick, 38th overall, at the 2015 NHL Draft held at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, Bittner has recorded 78-86-164 with 112 penalty minutes and a +68 plus/minus rating in 199 career WHL games over four seasons with the Winterhawks.