Jets’ Bryan Little placed on IR after taking puck to the face

Watch as Brian Little is in obvious pain after taking a slap shot straight to the head. He was bloodied on the play but was able to skate off under his own power.

The Winnipeg Jets have placed centre Bryan Little on injured reserve after he took a shot to the head in the team’s loss to the New Jersey Devils on Monday.

Little, who left the game following the incident, received 25 to 30 stitches to close a laceration on his ear following the heavy shot by teammate Nikolaj Ehlers. The 31-year-old was kept under observation at the hospital, but the team said he was alert and in high spirits. Head coach Paul Maurice said the expectation was that Little would be released from hospital on Thursday.

“He has a perforated ear drum,” Maurice said. “Presently the symptom he’s dealing with is vertigo. The positives are our doctors expect him to make a full recovery. I don’t have any timeline for you, it’s just let the healing happen.”

In a corresponding move, the Jets have recalled forward Joona Luoto from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose.

Little was sidelined for the first nine games of the season with a concussion. He has five points in seven games this season.

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