Jordin Tootoo

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Tootoo was 13 years old when he moved from Rankin Inlet to go play Bantam AAA hockey in Spruce Grove, Alberta. The Brandon Wheat Kings selected him in the 3rd round of the 1998 WHL Bantam Draft. Tootoo played for the Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1999 to 2003 and was selected 98th overall in the 2001 NHL entry draft as the sixth choice of the Nashville Predators. He became the first player of Inuit descent to play in a regular-season NHL game when he suited up against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on Opening Night October 9, 2003. He was also the first person of Inuit descent to be drafted by an NHL team. Tootoo wears the number '22' as a play on words of his name. Tootoo got his first NHL point with an assist on a Dan Hamhuis goal against the St. Louis Blues on October 16, 2003 and scored his first NHL goal against the Atlanta Thrashers on October 23. Tootoo has also earned two "Gordie Howe hat tricks"—on January 10, 2004, and December 8, 2007—when he notched a goal, an assist, and a fighting major in each game. He spent the 2005–06 season between the Nashville Predators and the Predators' minor league affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, where he played during the 2004–05 NHL lockout. On July 21, 2006, he was re-signed by the Predators to a two-year contract. On January 31, 2008, he was re-signed to another two-year contract extension. Tootoo scored his first playoff goal on April 10, 2008, against the Detroit Red Wings in the second period of Game 1 of the 2008 Western Conference Quarter Finals in a 3–1 loss.

In Their Own Story

On March 17, 2007, Tootoo punched defenceman Stéphane Robidas of the Dallas Stars in the face during a game. Robidas was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion. Two days later the NHL issued Tootoo a five-game suspension without pay, and accusations of "dirty" play were leveled. These accusations were resurrected after an incident on October 11, 2007, in which Tootoo hit the head of Daniel Winnik of the Phoenix Coyotes with his shoulder. On December 6, 2011, the NHL suspended Tootoo again, this time for two games, as a result of a charging incident against Buffalo Sabres' goaltender Ryan Miller in a game played on December 3, 2011. The incident occurred after Nashville's own GM, David Poile, publicly supported league action to prevent such hits on goaltenders. On February 2, 2019, the Nashville Predators held Jordin Tootoo Night at Bridgestone Arena, hosting the Dallas Stars. Tootoo spoke with the media and participated in the pregame puck drop.

Reader's Guide

Jordin Tootoo's time with the Nashville Predators spanned from his draft in 2001 through the 2011–12 season. He was selected 98th overall in the 2001 NHL entry draft as the sixth choice of the Nashville Predators. He became the first player of Inuit descent to play in a regular-season NHL game when he suited up against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on Opening Night October 9, 2003. Over his 486 games with the Predators, Tootoo recorded 46 goals and 79 assists for a combined total of 125 points during his eight years (2003—2012) with the Predators. He currently holds the franchise record for total penalty minutes (725) with Nashville. Tootoo earned two "Gordie Howe hat tricks" as a Predator—on January 10, 2004, and December 8, 2007—when he notched a goal, an assist, and a fighting major in each game. He scored his first playoff goal on April 10, 2008, against the Detroit Red Wings. On July 21, 2006, he was re-signed by the Predators to a two-year contract. On January 31, 2008, he was re-signed to another two-year contract extension. Tootoo was designated an unrestricted free agent after the 2011–12 season.

Did You Know?

• Tootoo is the first Inuk player to play in the NHL, debuting on October 9, 2003 against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
• He holds the Nashville Predators franchise record for total penalty minutes with 725.
• Tootoo's middle name, Kudluk, means 'thunder' in Inuktitut.
• He voluntarily entered the NHL/NHLPA's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program on December 27, 2010 for alcohol treatment.
• Tootoo's older brother Terence died by suicide in August 2002 at age 22, which inspired Tootoo's Team Tootoo Foundation focused on suicide prevention.