Bruins sign rookie Bitz to multiyear deal

Jul 2, 2009 - 12:00 AM BOSTON(AP) -- Byron Bitz has signed a multiyear contract to stay with the Boston Bruins.

The deal announced Wednesday keeps the 24-year-old forward with the team after a rookie season in which he had four goals and three assists in 35 games and showed a physical style. In five playoff games, he had one goal and one assist.

The Bruins drafted Bitz in the fourth round of the 2003 NHL draft after four years at Cornell.

Boston also signed center Steve Begin (BAY'-zhin) to a one-year contract. The 31-year-old played with Montreal and Dallas last season, recording 12 points in 62 games.