When Joe Exter took a position in the new regime at Michigan State two weeks ago he left a gap on the Ohio State men’s hockey bench. OSU wasted no time in filling that void. The school today announced former Buckeye JB Bittner as the team’s new assistant coach.
For longtime fans of OSU hockey Bittner needs no introduction. During his Buckeye career the Pittsburgh, PA native built a reputation for intensity and hard work, while demonstrating a willingness to do whatever was necessary for victory. He is something of a shot blocking legend in these parts and one of only 11 forwards in program history to earn the Joseph W. Smith Best Defensive Player award.
Bittner suited up for Ohio State from 2001-2005, during the program’s most successful era to date. He played in 160 games and collected 76 points. The two time team captain led the Bucks to victory in the 2004 CCHA tournament. He also helped Ohio State to three consecutive NCAA tourney appearances (2003-05).
Following his collegiate career, Bittner competed for several minor league teams. He skated the majority of his games at the ECHL level but did earn a few stints in the AHL. His longest run was as member of the Portland Pirates team which made the AHL’s Eastern Conference finals in 2006 before losing in overtime in Game 7 to eventual Calder Cup champs, the Hershey Bears.
After hanging up his skates Bittner embarked on a coaching career which would be marked by the same kind of hard work and blue collar grit he demonstrated as a player. He returned to Ohio State for the 2008-09 season where he served as the Buckeyes’ video coordinator and made his fourth trip to the NCAA tournament, this time as part of the staff. He moved up to assistant coach the following year and then returned to the video coordinator position when Mark Osiecki took over at OSU.
In 2011 Bittner became an assistant coach for the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays. During his two seasons behind the bench the Stingrays posted impressive defensive stats. They allowed the lowest number of goals against in the Eastern Conference in 2011-12. The next season the team had the fewest goals against in the entire league and boasted the East’s top penalty killing unit.
Bittner returned to the amateur hockey ranks in 2013 where he has since been working with top young talent. He spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Tri-City Storm. He helped shape the careers of many current collegiate players. Some of them will be familiar to Buckeye fans: Wisconsin forward Matthew Freytag, standout Penn State defenseman Vince Pedrie, fellow Nittany Lions Chase Berger and Kevin Kerr, Michigan State captain Mason Appleton, and (joining the Big Ten next season) Hockey East All-Rookie defenseman Bobby Nardella of Notre Dame.
Again Bittner’s tenure was marked by his team's noteworthy defensive accomplishment. Tri-City iced the USHL’s stingiest defense in 2014-15. No squad allowed fewer goals against. In addition, four of the team’s blue-liners finished in the top 13 in league scoring.
Bittner spent the 2015-16 season as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin. Another sweeping coaching change cut his time there short, but Bittner was swiftly snapped up by the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. He served as associate head coach along with former Buckeye assistant Jason Lammers (recently named head coach at Niagara) and guided Dubuque to an Eastern Conference finals appearance.
Last year also brought an opportunity for work at the international level. Bittner was named an assistant coach for Team USA’s World Junior A squad. The Americans claimed gold at the tournament thanks in part to a defense which allowed just four goals in five games.
Now Bittner returns to Ohio State where his experience as a player, a coach, and a Buckeye will certainly be an asset to the program. In OSU’s official release regarding the hiring head coach Steve Rohlik stated, "We are thrilled to bring JB and his family back to Ohio State. He is a tremendous person who has made a big impact everywhere he has coached. His work ethic, competitive spirit and passion for this university will be infectious among our players and recruits. He truly bleeds scarlet and gray."
For his part, Bittner is delighted to be back saying, "Columbus is home. My wife Katie and I are excited to return to a place that is very special to both of us. As an alum of the hockey program, I have kept up with the team and know we have a bright future. I can't wait to hit the ground running as we prepare for the upcoming season and the years ahead."
