Steelheads Add Goaltender Michael Bitzer
March 7, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Idaho Steelheads News Release
Boise, ID - Steelheads Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Neil Graham announced on Wednesday that the Steelheads have agreed to terms with rookie goaltender Michael Bitzer on an ECHL contract. Bitzer will join the Steelheads immediately for their three-game home stand at CenturyLink Arena.
Bitzer, 24, recently completed his senior season at Bemidji State University. The Moorhead, Minnesota native went 16-13-8 this season with a 2.24 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage This season, Bitzer set the WCHA record for career shutouts with 21.
Bitzer enjoyed a highly decorated college career, going 65-54-19 over four seasons with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.
Bitzer's best season came in 2016-17, when he went 22-14-3 with a 1.71 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage. He was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, and was also named a First-Team All-American, the WCHA Player of the Year, WCHA Goaltending Champion, and a WCHA First-Team All-Star. In 2014-15, Btizer was named the WCHA Rookie of the Year.
Prior to college, Bitzer played two seasons in the USHL with the Lincoln Stars, going 41-30-7 with a 2.97 goal-against average and a .904 save percentage.
The Steelheads host the Allen Americans on Wednesday night at CenturyLink Arena to open a three-game home stand. Puck-drop is scheduled for 7:10pm MT. For tickets, contact the CenturyLink Arena Box Office at 208-331-TIXS or visit idahosteelheads.com.
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