Jordin Tootoo
First Inuk player in NHL history.
Jordin John Kudluk Tootoo (born February 2, 1983) is a Canadian former professional hockey player who suited up for the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks. He is of Inuit, Ukrainian, and English heritage, and made history as the first Inuk athlete to compete in the NHL. Known across the league as one of its top agitators, Tootoo used a mix of harassment and fighting to give his team an edge. Over 723 career NHL games from 2003 to 2017, he posted 65 goals, 96 assists, and 1,010 penalty minutes.
Off the ice, Tootoo is recognized for his charitable work and community outreach, especially in northern regions. He announced his retirement on Twitter on October 19, 2018, stating that after 220 regular-season games with the Brandon Wheat Kings and 723 in the NHL, he was stepping away to focus on giving back to the Indigenous community.
Tootoo moved from Rankin Inlet to Spruce Grove, Alberta, at age 13 to play Bantam AAA hockey. The Brandon Wheat Kings picked him in the third round of the 1998 WHL Bantam Draft, and he played for them in the WHL from 1999 to 2003. Nashville selected him 98th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. On October 9, 2003, he became the first Inuk player to appear in an NHL regular-season game, facing the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on opening night. He was also the first Inuk drafted by an NHL team. He wore number 22 as a play on his name.
His first NHL point came on October 16, 2003, with an assist on a Dan Hamhuis goal against the St. Louis Blues, and he scored his first goal on October 23 against the Atlanta Thrashers. He earned two Gordie Howe hat tricks—on January 10, 2004, and December 8, 2007—each time recording a goal, an assist, and a fighting major. During the 2004–05 lockout, he split time between Nashville and their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. He signed a two-year contract with the Predators on July 21, 2006, and another two-year extension on January 31, 2008. His first playoff goal came on April 10, 2008, in a 3–1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. He holds Nashville’s franchise record for penalty minutes with 725. Over eight seasons (2003–2012) and 486 games with the Predators, he totaled 46 goals, 79 assists, and 125 points.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1983-02-02
- Birth Place
- Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 9
- Weight Lb
- 199
- Position
- Right wing
- Shoots
- Right
- Played For
- Nashville Predators / Detroit Red Wings / New Jersey Devils / Chicago Blackhawks
- Draft
- 98th overall
- Draft Year
- 2001
- Draft Team
- Nashville Predators
- Career Start
- 2003
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Tootoo was 13 years old when he moved from Rankin Inlet to play Bantam AAA hockey in Spruce Grove, Alberta. The Brandon Wheat Kings selected him in the 3rd round of the 1998 WHL Bantam Draft. He played for the Wheat Kings from 1999 to 2003 and was selected 98th overall in the 2001 NHL entry draft by 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 signed a three-year, $5.7 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 1, 2012. He scored his first goal as a Red Wing against his former team, the Predators on February 19, 2013. On June 18, 2014, the Red Wings placed Tootoo on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a compliance buyout. He later attended training camp for the New Jersey Devils on a tryout basis and signed a one-year contract on October 7, 2014. As a free agent on July 5, 2016, he signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. On October 19, 2018, he officially announced his retirement on Twitter.
Reader's Guide
Jordin Tootoo's significance extends beyond his on-ice role as an agitator and enforcer. As the first Inuk player in NHL history, he became a role model for youth in Nunavut and Indigenous communities across Canada. His career totals of 65 goals, 96 assists and 1010 penalty minutes in 723 games reflect his physical style of play. Tootoo faced NHL disciplinary action multiple times, including a five-game suspension in 2007 for punching Stéphane Robidas and a two-game suspension in 2011 for charging goaltender Ryan Miller.
Off the ice, Tootoo is known for his charity and community outreach work, especially in northern communities. In 2012 during the NHL lockout, he hosted the first Team Tootoo hockey camp in his hometown of Rankin Inlet. The Team Tootoo Foundation, inspired by the suicide of his older brother Terence in 2002, focuses on suicide prevention and anti-bullying programs for youths at risk. Tootoo voluntarily entered the NHL/NHLPA's Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program in December 2010 for alcohol treatment. His autobiography, All The Way: My Life on Ice, was published on October 21, 2014. On February 2, 2019, the Nashville Predators held Jordin Tootoo Night at Bridgestone Arena.
Did You Know?
- Tootoo's middle name Kudluk means 'thunder' in Inuktitut.
- Tootoo holds the Nashville Predators franchise record for total penalty minutes with 725.
- His brother Terence died by suicide in August 2002 at age 22.
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