Jets Honor Franchise Great

The Winnipeg Jets honored a franchise icon before their contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Nick Horwat | Oct 20, 2024

Oct 20, 2024; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Bryan Little talks with the media after signing a one day contact and retiring from the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images / James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

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Winnipeg Jets

After signing a one-day contract with the Winnipeg Jets, franchise legend forward Bryan Little has retired from professional hockey. The Jets honored Little, going above and beyond in a heartfelt pregame ceremony.

Before dropping the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Jets invited Little and his family for a celebration of his career.

The Jets officially put pen to paper on a one-day deal with Little before unveiling a special painting. Things got even more emotional during the on-ice pregame ceremony.

Not a dry eye in the building 💙 pic.twitter.com/9M9awwUkwF
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) October 20, 2024

Little hit the ice in full gear, gave some waves to the crowd, and then went in for the ceremonial opening face off. Little took the draw with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

With Little taking the draw with Crosby, the puck was dropped by Little’s wife and daughter.

Little played his entire career with the Jets organization and was among the last former Atlanta Thrashers players still active in the NHL. Originally a first-round draft pick (12th overall) of the Thrashers in 2006, he went on to play 843 games at the NHL level.

In that time, Little scored 217 goals and 304 assists for 521 total points. He wasn’t the most threatening player on the roster, but over the years, he turned into one of the organization’s most important leaders.

Little last played in early November of 2019. A long-term injury forced Little to call it a career but before he could officially retire, the Jets traded his contract to the Arizona Coyotes in 2022.

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Published Oct 20, 2024

NICK HORWAT