Playing career may be over for Winnipeg Jets’ Bryan Little

Tough news surfacing this summer for Winnipeg Jets forward Bryan Little, who says his career may be over after suffering an injury earlier this year.

Little, 32, was injured in November after taking a slapshot off his ear. Since then, he’s undergone treatment for a punctured eardrum and concussion he suffered when it happened.

“You see other players have injuries like this and you never think it’s going to happen to you,” Little said during a call with reporters on Wednesday, transcribed by the Winnipeg Sun. “And all of a sudden one bad-luck play, one misstep and it happens to you. Things can change in the blink of an eye. And they did for me, for sure.

“I knew it was bad but I didn’t know how bad it was until probably when I went back to the dressing room. I went to stand up and I felt dizzy and nauseous right away. I knew it wasn’t good. The whole side of my left side was pretty numb and throbbing and in pain.

“Some of the things the doctors were saying scared me a bit. It still does. The biggest thing I’m thinking about through this is having a healthy and long life and being cognitively all there when this is all over. Until I am told there’s not a lot of huge risk in coming back, it’s kind of just waiting and hopefully, a good amount of time will change things.

“I don’t like using the word ‘retirement.’ I’d be done from the injury. That’s been in the back of my head since it all happened since the first doctor I talked to brought some things up. Especially talking with my family and wife… there’s going to be some decisions that have to be made about what’s next. I’m not really thinking about it until I know for certain.”

Little was unable to drive or pick up his daughter for six weeks after the injury due to a loss of balance.

He said he will be undergoing more testing in the future, but it sure appears he could be on his way out of the league. Obviously there’s much more important things in life like his family, so I wish nothing but the best for Little and his health in the future.

On Twitter: @zjlaing