JORDIN TOOTOO BECOMES 1ST INUIT TO PLAY IN THE NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE (NHL)
Jordin, born February 2, 1983, in Churchill, Manitoba, grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He played for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (1999-2003) before being drafted by the NHL’s Nashville Predators and becoming the 1st player of Inuit descent to play in a regular-season NHL game. One of the NHL’s best agitators, Jordin earned 2 “Gordie Howe hat tricks”—a goal, an assist, and a 5-minute fighting major penalty in a game. Tootoo currently holds the franchise record for total penalty minutes (725). Jordin’s 14-year NHL career saw him play for the Predators (2003-2012), Detroit Red Wings (2012-2014), New Jersey Devils (2014–16), and Chicago Blackhawks (2016-17). Chicago extended his contract through the 2017–2018 season, but an upper body injury ended his career. Beyond hockey, Jordin is known for his charity and community outreach work, especially in northern communities. The “Team Tootoo Fund“ is focused on suicide prevention & anti-bullying programs for youths at risk.
Source: Wikipedia
Photo: Lisa Gansky, 9/28/2014. Permissive use.
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