Michael Bittman now knows where the next stage of his football career will play out.
As expected, the former Estevan Elecs linebacker cracked the lineup of the Regina Thunder following the junior team's spring camp the weekend of May 7.
The Thunder, who play in the Prairie Football Conference of the Canadian Junior Football League, had shown interest in Bittman since his failure to make the Regina Rams last month.
"It's a big accomplishment for me," said Bittman, who was also the first Elec to be named to the Ed Henick Senior Bowl last month.
"It's really opened up a lot of doors and opportunities for me. I'm really excited that I can finally say I'm on a team in Regina."
Among the hopefuls were 16 linebackers and Bittman said his speed, footwork and size helped give him an edge.
"They're looking for people who can get to the ball fast, and I guess I was one of the people who could do that."
Bittman knows that as one of two younger linebackers to make the squad, he will have to work his way into the lineup.
"I think what will probably happen is I'll see special teams and maybe a bit of playing time (at linebacker) depending on if players get hurt or whatnot."
The Thunder's schedule for 2011 begins with a home game Aug. 13 against the rival Saskatoon Hilltops.
Stepping into junior football is the latest accomplishment in a spring that has seen Bittman make the Senior Bowl roster for the Â鶹´«Ã½AV and also receive Estevan's male athlete of the year award.
"It means a lot to me to be able to say I'm one of the first guys in Estevan to make some of these things. It's something I'll hold with me forever and I'll cherish the moments," he said.
The Senior Bowl is coming up on Monday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
"I'm already starting to get all jacked up," he chuckled. "I think about it a lot. I'll be sitting there some nights, not doing anything and just daze off and start daydreaming.
"It's kind of cool, looking back, you can look in Estevan's history and see that I was the first guy to make it to the Senior Bowl."
