Jordin Tootoo
Jordin John Kudluk Tootoo was born on February 2, 1983. He is the first Inuk player of Inuit and Ukrainian descent to play in the NHL. Tootoo was drafted 98th overall in 2001 by the Nashville Predators. His NHL playing career was from 2003-2018. He played for four teams: the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks. Jordin was known throughout the league as an agitator. His role was specifically to get under the opposition’s skin by fighting and aggressive play to throw the other team off their game. He is diminutive in stature, measuring 5 ft 9 in and weighing 199 lb. Tootoo’s career stats are 64 goals, 96 assists, and 1008 penalties in 717 career NHL games.
On October 19, 2018, Tootoo officially announced his retirement on Twitter. He said his departure from NHL hockey was due to his desire to give back to the indigenous community.
Playing Career
Jordin left his home in Rankin Inlet at the young age of 13 to play Bantam AAA hockey in Spruce Grove, Alberta. After being selected 98th overall in the 3rd round of the 1998 WHL draft by the Brandon Wheat Kings, he would go on to play from 1999-2003 for the Wheaties. Although Tootoo is mostly known for his role as an agitator, he could also score; during his time in the WHL, his best year was 2002-2003, where he scored 35 goals and 39 assists, both personnel career highs.
With their sixth pick at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, the Nashville Predators selected Jordin Tootoo. On October 9, 2003, Jordin Tootoo made history as he became the first player of Inuit descent to be drafted into the NHL and play a regular-season NHL game, thus making the Inuit community proud. Jordin has a sense of humor as he asked for the #22 for his jersey, as it is a play on his name.
On October 16, 2003, Tootoo scored his first point against the St. Louis Blues, and his first goal would come days later, on October 23, 2003, against the now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers. His first playoff goal came on April 10, 2008, against the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarter-Finals, which turned out to be in vain as the Predators lost that game 3-1.
Tootoo, to date, is the Nashville Predators’ all-time penalty minutes leader with (725). Other than the 725 minutes spent on the dark side, Tootoo accumulated 46 goals and 79 assists for 125 points in 486 games with the Predators.
Personal Life
Tootoo was born in the Province of Manitoba but grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Jordin is an avid hunter and camper enjoying the traditional Inuit lifestyle. Jordin Tootoo is also a role model for the youth in Nunavut as he is the inspiration behind the “Team Tootoo Foundation.” Tootoo received $25,000 toward the charity of his choice when he was nominated in 2015 by the New Jersey Devils for the NHL Foundation Player Award. The player exhibits valued characteristics in the NHL; perseverance, commitment, and teamwork. The foundation raises awareness for suicide prevention and anti-bullying programs for youth at risk. This resonates on a personal level as Tootoo’s older brother Terence died by suicide in August 2002.
Although Jordin Tootoo impressed with making it to the NHL level from one of the remotest parts of Canada and being the first of Inuk descent, he has left a permanent mark on the youth of the far North as well as nationally for his selfless work as a humanitarian dealing with mental health and suicide. Keep up the good work, Jordin Tootoo; this is the greatest goal you ever scored; the world needs more people like you.
Keep Your Stick on the Ice.
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