Former NHL fan favorite and 12th overall pick makes surprise career announcement

PUBLICATION

Sam Walker
July 30, 2024 (8:19 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Official retirement for NHL veteran to be announced next weeend

NHL veteran Brian Little recently did an interview with Guelph Today and revealed troubles he is dealing with, mentioning a career-ending injury.

Little states on June 30th, he will announce his retirement, despite not playing for over four years he is still under contract and on June 30th, his contract will officially expire.

"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 said.

"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 a lot � 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."

Being the 12th overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft, he had high expectations and surely met them, playing in 843 career games with the Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets, tallying 521 points.

It's heartbreaking to hear how injuries can end careers, but we wish you the best retirement, Little.

Source: GuelphToday
Puslinch man takes on triathlons following pro hockey retirement