Jets acquire fourth-round pick from Arizona

WINNIPEG, March 20, 2022 - The Winnipeg Jets announced today they have acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forwards Bryan Little and Nathan Smith.
Little, 34, was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in the first round (12th overall) in the 2006 NHL Draft and is the Jets/Thrashers franchise leader in games played with 843. He ranks in the top-five in franchise history in goals (217), assists (304), points (521), even strength goals (152), power play goals (58), shorthanded goals (7), and game-winning goals (32).

Little, a native of Edmonton, Alta., has twice won the Jets' Community Service Award for the player who most demonstrated a commitment to the community. During his time in Winnipeg, he has been a crucial supporter of the True North Youth Foundation and particularly the Project 11 program where he has volunteered his time to meet with students and to create curriculum videos. Little is also a two-time recipient of the club's Dan Snyder Memorial Award for the player who best embodies perseverance, dedication, and hard work without reward or recognition. He suffered a serious head injury in a game against the New Jersey Devils on Nov. 5/19 and has not been able to return to NHL action since the injury.
Smith, 23, was drafted by the Jets in the third round (91st overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft. The Tampa Bay, Fla. native has spent the past three seasons with the Minnesota State Mavericks and recently helped the top-ranked Mavericks to the CCHA championship. Smith also played for Team USA at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, where the Americans lost in the quarter-finals.