The last time former Jets centre Bryan Little stepped foot on the ice was November 5, 2019 in a game for Winnipeg against New Jersey. As folks will recall he took a shot to the head which knocked him out of that game.
For the rest of that season his playing status remained uncertain. Even at the end of that 2019-20 season there wasn’t certainty about his future as he continued to speak about his road to recovery. At the start of the 2020-21 season GM Kevin Cheveldayoff indicated that doctors had recommended Little not play that season.
With the Jets needing to make some room he was dealt on March 3rd, 2021 along with the signing rights to prospect Nathan Smith to the Arizona Coyotes for a 4th round pick in 2022. As I wrote at the time it was one final assist by Bryan Little for the Jets organization.
Little was recently being inducted into Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame and spoke with Bill Doucet of the Cambridge Times.
One of the notable things Little said in the piece, was something I’ve heard fans speculate about with regards to Little and his status once he officially retires from the NHL:
“Once his contract runs out with the Coyotes, he said it would be an honour to sign a one-day contract with Winnipeg to retire with the Jets.”
You can read the full article here.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
As I wrote at the time he was traded Little was a heart and soul player in addition to being a top producer since the team moved from Atlanta to Winnipeg. At the time he was dealt he was top five in the combined Thrashers/Jets history books as:
1st in games played (843)
4th in goals scored (217)
3rd in assists (304)
4th in points (521)
He was one of the most well liked players on and off the ice and it won’t be a surprise to see him sign a one day contract with Winnipeg once next season concludes and then see him be honoured by the franchise in front of their fans.
