Men’s Hockey: Bittner and Salajko Join Buckeye Staff – Ohio State Buckeyes
6/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
COLUMBUS, Ohio JB Bittner and Jeff Salajko have joined the Ohio State men’s hockey coaching staff, John Markell, Buckeye head coach, announced Tuesday. Bittner, a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain for the Buckeyes, will serve as the team’s video coordinator, while Salajko takes over the volunteer coaching position.
Bittner, from Pittsburgh, Pa., returns to the Ohio State campus following a three-year professional career when he spent time with a number of teams, including Portland and Iowa in the American Hockey League. He was with the Florida Everblades in the ECHL last season but injuries kept him out of the lineup throughout the year. Bittner played for the Buckeyes from 2002-05, competing in 160 games to rank fifth in program history in career games played and posting 37 goals, 39 assists and 76 points. He was a member of the 2004 CCHA Super Six Championship team and on three NCAA tournament squads. Bittner received the team’s Joseph W. Smith Best Defensive Player award in 2005 and was the Scarlet and Gray award winner in 2003 and ’05. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sport and leisure studies in Summer 2005 and since graduating, Bittner also started a golf shirt company (www.aspirations07.com).
“JB is a former Buckeye captain and has lived through the experience of being a successful collegiate athlete,” Markell said. “His enthusiasm and experience are a great addition to our program.”
Salajko, a native of Kitchener, Ontario, spent eight years in the professional ranks as a goalie. A 10th-round draft pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft (No. 236 overall), he played in the American, International and East Coast hockey leagues during his career. He played for the Columbus Chill in the ECHL from 1997-99 and was a three-time winner of the Subway Player of the Year and team MVP awards. He played four years of major junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (1992-96). Salajko and his wife, Karen, reside in Worthington with their two children, Kate and J.J.
“Jeff came to us highly recommended,” Markell said. “He is available to be with the team, especially the goalies, on a daily basis, which will be a help to our program. With his personality and goalie experience he is a wonderful addition to our coaching staff.”
