Atlanta Thrashers sign Bryan Little
The Atlanta Thrashers have announced that they have signed forward Bryan Little to a three-year contract worth $7.2 million. The deal will see the centreman make an average of $2.84 million a season. Little was a restricted free agent and the new contract kept him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.
Little was drafted by the Thrashers 12th overall in the 2006 National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft. His final season in major junior was played with the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Barrie Colts, with whom he recorded 107 points in just 57 competitions. He was brought up to join the Thrashers immediately, splitting his time between the NHL and the squad’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. Little has found a full-time place in the line-up over the last two seasons.
Little will once again assume the role of the club’s second line centre, playing with youngster Evander Kane and Rich Peverley. Little has proven that he can be a reliable option at the offensive end, and at only 22 years-old, the Thrashers are hoping that he will be able to improve in his third season in the league.
Expected to take over the number one centre spot, the three-year contract works for both Little and the Thrashers, as both sides are getting an opportunity to build on the relationship before agreeing to a long-term deal.
Little has not yet reached his potential and the Thrashers will be hoping that this season he will finally turn the corner. The club is in search of its second postseason appearance in 2010-11, and many believe it is possible if they are able to generate scoring form their second line. At centre, Little is the catalyst for second unit point production.
Last season with Atlanta, Little managed 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points in 79 games.
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