Hitchman started out in junior hockey with Toronto Aura Lee of the Ontario Hockey Association in 1919-20 and 1920-21. He then played two seasons of senior league hockey in Ottawa with the Ottawa New Edinburgh of the Ottawa City Senior League. Hitchman was signed by the Senators in 1922. He played three seasons for the Senators, and was on a Stanley Cup winner when the Senators defeated the Edmonton Eskimos in 1923, becoming notable for his hardrock defence style.