USHL Dubuque Fighting Saints

: J.b. Bittner Named Associate Head Coach

August 18, 2016 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release


The Dubuque Fighting Saints are proud to announce the hiring of *J.B. Bittner* as the new associate head coach of the team, effective immediately. Bittner, who joins the Saints after a stint as an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin, has served as an assistant coach at the junior, college, and professional ranks.

"I'm excited to be joining an organization that has a such a strong tradition, a history of success, and a strong ownership group. At any level in any sport, success starts at the top," Bittner said. "There is no secret that Dubuque has been very successful since returning to the USHL, and *Brad* *Kwong* and the Northern Lights partners have had a large part in that."

Bittner, 34, started his coaching career at his alma mater, Ohio State University, after concluding a four-season professional hockey career. He also served on the same coaching staff as head coach/GM *Jason Lammers* at Ohio State.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to work with Jason again. He is a first-class person and a great hockey coach. I am fortunate to get an opportunity to learn from him," Bittner added.

Bittner brings several years of USHL experience to the table in Dubuque. Once a consistent scorer with the Sioux Falls Stampede across two seasons, he currently ranks as the 11th-best scorer in the Stampede's history with 97 career points. He stayed in the USHL's Western Conference as an assistant coach with the Tri-City Storm for two seasons (2013-15), where he helped lead the team to 37 wins in the 14-15 season, and a return to the Clark Cup playoffs after two consecutive years missing the cut.

"J.B. is a passionate teacher and a very intelligent coach that we're thrilled to have as a member of the Dubuque Fighting Saints," Lammers said. "I know him well, and I know he'll be a tremendous fit for the organization and a trusted conduit between the coaching staff and the players once the season gets underway."

"Our group takes pride in going to great lengths to hire great people and we're excited that the process has brought us J.B.," said Kwong, the managing partner of Northern Lights Hockey, LLC. "His reputation in the hockey world was substantiated by the many recommendations and positive comments we have received from the hockey community. He brings a collection of talents and experiences that will enable our hockey staff to be elite."

Bittner's professional hockey career took him as far as the American Hockey League (AHL). He suited up for a total of 30 AHL games, including stints with the Syracuse Crunch, Portland Pirates, and Iowa Stars. He also played for the Dayton Bombers, Johnstown Chiefs, Augusta Lynx, Idaho Steelheads and Florida Everblades of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).

As a college hockey player, he won a CCHA championship with the Buckeyes during the 2003-04 season.

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