Jordin Tootoo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jordin Tootoo ᔪᐊᑕᓐ ᑐᑐ
Tootoo with the New Jersey Devils in 2014
Born	(1983-02-02) February 2, 1983 (age 42) Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	199 lb (90 kg; 14 st 3 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Nashville Predators Detroit Red Wings New Jersey Devils Chicago Blackhawks
NHL Draft	98th overall, 2001 Nashville Predators
Playing career	2003–2017

Jordin John Kudluk Tootoo MSM (Inuktitut: ᔪᐊᑕᓐ ᑐᑐ; born February 2, 1983) is a Canadian former professional hockey player. He played for the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks. Jordin has Inuit, Ukrainian, and English family roots. He made history as the first Inuk player to play in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Tootoo was known as a tough and energetic player. He could get under opponents' skin, play physically, and help his team win games. By the end of the 2016–17 NHL season, Tootoo had played 723 NHL games. He scored 65 goals, made 96 assists, and had 1010 penalty minutes.

Beyond the ice, Tootoo is also known for his charity work. He helps communities, especially in Canada's northern areas. On October 19, 2018, he announced his retirement. He shared that he wanted to focus on helping Indigenous communities.

Playing in the NHL

Tootoo in 2010 with Nashville

Starting His Hockey Journey

Jordin Tootoo was 13 years old when he moved from Rankin Inlet to Spruce Grove, Alberta. There, he played Bantam AAA hockey. The Brandon Wheat Kings picked him in the 1998 WHL Bantam Draft. Tootoo played for the Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1999 to 2003.

In the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, the Nashville Predators chose him 98th overall. On October 9, 2003, Tootoo became the first player of Inuit descent to play in a regular NHL game. This was against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He was also the first person of Inuit descent ever drafted by an NHL team. Tootoo wore the number '22' as a fun way to play on his last name.

Nashville Predators Years

Tootoo earned his first NHL point on October 16, 2003. He assisted on a goal against the St. Louis Blues. He scored his first NHL goal on October 23 against the Atlanta Thrashers. Tootoo also achieved two "Gordie Howe hat tricks." This means he had a goal, an assist, and a physical play in the same game. These happened on January 10, 2004, and December 8, 2007.

During the 2005–06 NHL season, he played for both the Nashville Predators and their minor league team, the Milwaukee Admirals. He played for the Admirals during the 2004–05 NHL lockout. The Predators re-signed him to new contracts in 2006 and 2008.

Tootoo scored his first playoff goal on April 10, 2008. It was against the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of the 2008 Western Conference Quarter Finals. He holds the Predators' team record for total penalty minutes, with 725. In 486 games with the Predators, Tootoo scored 46 goals and 79 assists, totaling 125 points. He played for them for eight years, from 2003 to 2012.

On February 2, 2019, the Nashville Predators honored Jordin Tootoo. They held "Jordin Tootoo Night" at Bridgestone Arena before a game against the Dallas Stars. Tootoo spoke to the media and took part in the pregame puck drop.

Detroit Red Wings Years

Tootoo warming up during the 2012–13 NHL season

After the 2011–12 season, Tootoo became a free agent. On July 1, 2012, he signed a three-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings. This team was a rival of Nashville in the Central Division. He scored his first goal as a Red Wing against his old team, the Predators, on February 19, 2013. In June 2014, the Red Wings decided to let Tootoo go from his contract.

New Jersey Devils Years

Tootoo joined the New Jersey Devils' training camp for a tryout. He then signed a one-year contract with the team on October 7, 2014. He played 68 games for the Devils during the 2014–15 season. He scored 10 goals, had 5 assists, and earned 72 penalty minutes. In May 2015, he signed another one-year contract with the team.

Chicago Blackhawks and Retirement

As a free agent, Tootoo signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks on July 5, 2016. In February 2017, Chicago extended his contract through the 2017–2018 season. During his time with the Blackhawks, he had an upper body injury. He was later released from the team in November 2017.

On October 19, 2018, Tootoo officially retired from hockey. He had played 723 NHL games. Even after retiring, Tootoo said he planned to keep working to improve life for Native children.

Disciplinary Actions

Jordin Tootoo faced actions from the NHL for some of his plays. On March 17, 2007, Tootoo hit Stéphane Robidas of the Dallas Stars during a game. Robidas was knocked out and had a concussion. The NHL suspended Tootoo for five games without pay. Some people said his play was "dirty." These concerns came up again on October 11, 2007. In that game, Tootoo hit Daniel Winnik of the Phoenix Coyotes with his shoulder.

On December 6, 2011, the NHL suspended Tootoo for two games. This was for a play against Buffalo Sabres' goalie Ryan Miller. This happened after Nashville's general manager, David Poile, had spoken about protecting goalies.

On February 20, 2013, Columbus Blue Jackets' player Derek Dorsett said Tootoo hit him unfairly during a game.

About Jordin Tootoo

Jordin Tootoo's older brother, Terence, also played hockey. Terence played for the Roanoke Express in the ECHL during the 2001–02 ECHL season.

Tootoo's middle name, Kudluk, means "thunder" in Inuktitut. His mother, Rose, has English and Ukrainian family. His father, Barney, is an Inuk from Nunavut.

He is the nephew of George Hickes, a former Speaker in Manitoba. He is also a cousin to Hunter Tootoo, a former Speaker in Nunavut and federal minister.

Jordin Tootoo was born in Manitoba but grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. His father taught him to skate and play hockey there. Growing up in Rankin Inlet, Tootoo learned traditional Inuit ways like hunting and camping. As the first Inuk to play in the National Hockey League, he became a role model for young people in Nunavut.

In 2012, during the NHL hockey lockout, Jordin Tootoo went back to Rankin Inlet. He hosted the first Team Tootoo hockey camp for local kids. Tootoo wanted the kids to have fun and enjoy being part of a community. He said, "It’s going to be a really positive atmosphere. You’re going to learn hockey skills, but you’re also going to learn life skills and teamwork."

In 2013, Stephen Brunt announced he was writing a book with Tootoo. The book, called All The Way: My Life on Ice, was published on October 21, 2014.

Team Tootoo Foundation

In 2015, the New Jersey Devils nominated Tootoo for the 2015 NHL Foundation Player Award. This award goes to a player who shows commitment, perseverance, and teamwork. The player chosen receives $25,000 for a charity of their choice. This award helped start Tootoo's foundation.

Tootoo was recognized for the work his Team Tootoo Foundation has done. The foundation helps in his hometown of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, and across Canada. Tootoo started his foundation in 2011. The Team Tootoo Fund works to raise awareness for suicide prevention and anti-bullying programs for young people. Tootoo has been a positive voice for those facing challenges, often sharing his own story.

International Play

Medal record
Representing
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Silver	2003 Canada

Tootoo played for Canada at the 2003 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He scored two goals and had one assist in six games. His team won a silver medal.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International

Awards and Honors

• Rookie of the Year, Most Popular Player, and Scholastic Player of the Year with the OCN Blizzard in 1998–99.
• Nominated as Manitoba's Sportsman of the Year for 2000.
• WHL Player of the Month for December 2001.
• WHL Player of the Week for December 23–30, 2001.
• Played in the 2001 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.
• Had the hardest shot in the 2001 Top Prospects Skills Evaluation (96.1 mph).
• WHL Player of the Week for November 11–17, 2002.
• National Aboriginal Achievement Award (now Indspire Awards), 2002 Youth Award.
• WHL East First All-Star Team, 2003.
• Meritorious Service Medal (Canada), 2017.

See also

• Notable Aboriginal people of Canada