OHL Flint Firebirds

Bitten Becomes First Ever Flint Firebird to be Drafted in the NHL

Published on June 25, 2016 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Buffalo, N.Y. - Another dream comes true. The Montreal Canadiens selected forward Will Bitten in the third-round (70th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft Saturday at the First Niagara Center, making history as Bitten becomes the first ever Flint Firebirds player to be drafted in the National Hockey League.

Bitten led the Firebirds this past season with 30 goals and 35 assists, totaling 65 points in 67 games played and earned multi-point nights 16 times. Bitten also competed in 2016 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Vancouver, BC on Thursday Jan. 28 and suited up for Canada's National Men's Under-18 Team at the 2016 IIHF U18 World Championship, April 14-24 in Grand Forks, N.D.

The Gloucester, Ont. native was a first-round pick of the Whalers in the 2014 OHL Priority Selection, and was the highest rated Firebirds' player for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

15 CHL players were selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft Friday night. The 15 CHL players represents 50% of all players selected in the draft's opening round including five players chosen in the top-10 led by forward Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles picked third overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Ontario Hockey League led the way with nine players selected in the first round of the NHL Draft including four players in the top-10 with defenseman Olli Juolevi of the London Knights chosen fifth overall by the Vancouver Canucks.

The NBC Sports Network televised the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft throughout the United States live on Friday, June 24th from 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. (ET). The NHL Network will carry rounds two-through-seven on Saturday, June 25th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. (ET). Sportsnet will televise the 2016 NHL Entry Draft throughout Canada.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from June 25, 2016


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