An NHL favorite makes an announcement regarding his future career
Photo credit: The Hockey Writers
NHL veteran Brian Little announces pending retirement as contract expires.
Brian Little, a distinguished figure in the NHL, recently shared in an interview with Guelph Today that he will be announcing his retirement on June 30th.
Despite not having played in over four years, Little remains under contract until the end of the month, marking an official end to his professional hockey journey.
Little reflected on the bittersweet closure of his career, one hindered by a severe injury that ultimately deemed him unfit for contact sports.
Although the decision to retire was influenced by medical advice from several specialists, it comes with a heavy heart for the veteran player.
« It's more just kind of a technicality thing being on their books. My heart was still in Winnipeg and I was still following those guys because I knew a lot of the guys on the team still. It's July that I'm officially retired so it'd be nice to be done with that, »
Little expressed, acknowledging his emotional ties to the game and his team.
He further commented on the complexities of dealing with his career-ending condition.
« One of the things that was the toughest about it was that I felt fine," he said. "It was just the unpredictable nature of what happens if I get hit really bad again. That was kind of the thing that kept me from playing again and believe me I saw three or four specialists and none of them recommended playing contact sports again. It was tough but days like today when I kind of found something else to be passionate about, it definitely helps. »
Drafted 12th overall in the 2006 NHL draft, Little had a remarkable career spanning both the Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets.
He played in 843 career games, amassing a total of 521 points, which solidifies his legacy as a player who not only met but often exceeded expectations.
As we approach the date of his official retirement, the hockey community reflects on Little's significant contributions to the sport and the resilience he displayed throughout his career.
It's always disheartening to see a player's career cut short by injury, but Little's outlook and new passions point toward a promising future beyond hockey. Best wishes for your retirement, Brian Little, and thank you for the memories on the ice.
Previously on HawksLatest
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