Bitz player for Bruins’ march into 2009 playoffs

This time last year, the Boston Bruins were playing for their playoff lives down the stretch, eventually bowing out to the top-ranked Canadiens in the first-round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.  As it stands at the end of February, the Bruins are sitting pretty at the top of the Eastern Conference, and one point shy of the NHL leading San Jose Sharks.  Adding another weapon without the word ‘trade’ being thrown around at this time of year, can be seen only as a bonus.  Rookie call-up Byron Bitz has made an indelible impression on the Beantown faithful, energizing the checking line with crushing hits and determined play with and without the puck. 

Boston’s fire has been fueled on with further progressions by youngsters David Krejci, Phil Kessel, and Milan Lucic, while Blake Wheeler and now Bitz have solidified last year’s playoff lineup.  This is one that already boasted All-Stars Zdeno Chara, Tim Thomas, and Marc Savard.  Of course, any legitimate team requires players that fit into specific roles.  Boston has a core experience group of Per-Johan Axelsson, Andrew Ference, Stephane Yelle, and Chuck Kobasew, further bolstering the cast.  The latter three were all part of the Calgary Flames’ run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2004.  Yelle, a rather unheralded acquisition through free-agency in the summer, brings a wealth of knowledge about the centre position and is a proven winner, hoisting the Stanley Cup twice as a member of the Colorado Avalanche.  After starting on a line with Shawn Thornton and Martin Karsums, Bitz has really found a niche with Yelle, drawing on his expertise and giving opponents a lot to handle.

Head Coach Claude Julien’s Bruins developed a sapient game plan at the beginning of the year, remain focused, and have shown no signs of letting up.  Boston stands out with power play and penalty kill units that both sit in the league’s top ten.  Goals-for per game is only trumped by the defending champion Red Wings, accented by the fact that they remain a strong defensive club.  The best defensive club league-wide, in fact.  Things have come together in a huge way for the Bruins, and Bitz could be a key member of a long journey into the playoffs.

Selected in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Bitz was considered a worthwhile gamble because of his size and scoring with the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL.  Entering his freshman year at Cornell University, the hard-hitting right wing scored 21 points and established his presence on the Ivy League team.  As a senior in his collegiate career, Bitz was named captain of ‘Big Red’ and was signed later on by the Bruins to his current contract.  Last year with Boston’s AHL affiliate the Providence Bruins, Bitz was a solid contributor with 13 goals as a rookie, also totaling 27 points and 70 PIM in 61 games.

During the current campaign, Bitz is taking advantage of the absence of Marco Sturm and Petteri Nokelainen to initiate his breakthrough.  With just 10 points total in 31 games for Providence this year, Bitz was called-up to Boston because of his strong physical presence.  Giving the lower lines a nasty edge, the Bruins have seen flashes his under-rated scoring prowess, adding further intrigue.  The Saskatoon-born Bitz has three goals in his last three games, including a brilliant rush on February 26th, 2009 in a game against Anaheim.  Bitz received a lengthy two-zone pass from Ference, strode wide and protected the puck on All-Star defenseman Scott Niedermayer.  Gaining the offensive zone, Bitz flipped a wrist shot that beat J.S. Giguere high, blocker side.  One can say this about the hard-working forward with surety; ‘Big Red’ Bitz has the demeanor and drive that can take him and the championship-starved Bruins a long way.

28 February 2009
Robin Keith Thompson