Veteran centre Bryan Little last suited up for the Winnipeg Jets back on November 5th, 2019 of a game against the New Jersey Devils when he was hit in the side of the head with a puck in the in the 3rd period which perforated his eardrum and left him dealing with vertigo.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
It was a trying season for the 2006 1st round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers which would eventually see him get shut down for the season in February of 2020 and ultimately not be part of the return to play which saw Winnipeg take on Calgary in a play-in series back in August of 2020. We heard from him once the Jets were eliminated by the Flames wherein he didn’t shut the door on a return but continued to focus on his road to recovery from the injury he suffered.
In October of 2020 general manager of the Jets Kevin Cheveldayoff indicated that doctors had advised Little not to play the 2020-21 season.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Which brings us to the most recent end of season media availability with GM Kevin Cheveldayoff after Winnipeg had been eliminated by Montreal last week. When asked about Little’s status he had this to say:
“So Bryan obviously has gone through a lot of different medical procedures and until the doctors or Bryan ever really feel comfortable with updating or upgrading his status, he basically remains a player that is not available to us. I’m not certain that you would use the words retirement but in the same token there’s no medical opinions basically that are saying he should play.”
Little has certainly made his mark on this franchise in the 13 seasons he played as a pro in Atlanta and Winnipeg:
Games played – 843 (1st)
Goals – 217 (3rd)
Assists – 304 (3rd)
Points – 521 (3rd)
PP goals – 58 (2nd)
SH goals – 7 (3rd)
GWG – 32 (3rd)
Little has three seasons left on the six-year extension he signed with the Jets back in September of 2017.
