While playing youth hockey in the Long Beach Apple Core program in the early 2000s, Anthony Bitetto often skated on the ice at Nassau Coliseum and even played during intermission of New York Islanders games.
But the Island Park native, who graduated from West Hempstead High School, has long bled New York Rangers blue, along with the rest of his family. “Everything in our house growing up was Rangers,” Bitetto said. “I’ve got great memories of hopping on the train and going to games at Madison Square Garden.”
The next NHL game that Bitetto attends at MSG will have an entirely different vibe and special meaning. That’s because on Oct. 9, on the first day of free agency, the 30-year-old left-handed defenseman signed a two-year contract with the Rangers totaling $1.475 million, according to capfriendly.com.
“I’m honored and thrilled,” said the 6-foot, 210-pound Bitetto, who played in a career-high 51 games for the Winnipeg Jets last season and registered eight assists, 145 hits and 50 blocked shots while averaging more than 15 minutes of ice time. “It’s a childhood dream,” he said. “The support I’ve gotten from family and friends and everyone in the Long Island community has been nothing short of amazing. Other teams showed interest in signing me, but it was a pretty easy decision to become a Ranger.”
Bitetto said he picked up new equipment three days after signing and has been skating in Connecticut with his new teammates. He joins a talented defense that includes Jacob Trouba, Tony D’Angelo and Adam Fox ( a Jericho native), plus a star-studded core led by Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.