Jordin Tootoo

Jordin John Kudluk Tootoo Selected by Nashville Predators 4th round (#98) in 2001 NHL Entry Draft
 * Born: February 2, 1983 in Churchill, Manitoba
 * Hometown: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
 * Brother: Terence Tootoo
 * Position: Right Wing

Selected by Brandon Wheat Kings 3rd round (#43) in 1998 WHL Bantam Draft

His middle name Kudluk means "thunder". His mother, Rose Tootoo, is of Ukrainian descent, while his father, Barney, is an Inuk from Nunavut.[3] He is also the nephew of Manitoba Legislative Assembly Speaker George Hickes and cousin to Nunavut MLA Hunter Tootoo.

Although born in Manitoba, Tootoo grew up in Rankin Inlet,[4] where he was taught to skate and play hockey by his father, Barney.[5] Growing up in Rankin Inlet also allowed Tootoo to learn the traditional Inuit lifestyle that includes hunting and camping.[6]

As the first half-Inuk[6] to play in the National Hockey League he has become a role model for youth in Nunavut.[7] [8]

Playing career
Jordin Tootoo played for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1999 to 2003 and was selected 98th overall in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft as the 6th 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 Anaheim Ducks on opening night October 9, 2003. He was also the first person of Inuit descent to be drafted by an NHL team. Jordin wears the number '22' as a play on words of his name.[6]

He 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. Also, Tootoo has 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, Tootoo was re-signed to another two-year contract extension.

On March 19, 2007, the NHL suspended Tootoo for five games. Tootoo hit defenceman Stéphane Robidas of the Dallas Stars with his glove during the Stars game against Nashville on March 17. Robidas suffered a concussion and was rendered unconscious. The NHL issued a five-game suspension without pay, and accusations of "dirty" play have been leveled at Tootoo. 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.[9]

He 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.
 * Hardest shot in the 2001 Top Prospects Skills Evaluation (96.1 mph).

Awards & Achievements

 * MJHL Rookie All-Star Team (1999)
 * Played in World U-17 Hockey Challenge (2000)
 * Played in Four Nations Cup for Team Canada (2001), winning Gold
 * Nominated for Manitoba's Sportsman of the Year for 2000 (2001)
 * Played in Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game (2001)
 * 1X WHL Player of the Week (2002)
 * 1X WHL Player of the Month (2002)
 * 1X WHL Player of the Week (2003)
 * Played in World Junior Championship for Team Canada (2003), winning Silver
 * National Aboriginal Achievement Youth Award for 2002 (2003)
 * WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team (2003)
 * CHL Third All-Star Team (2003)
 * Canada Meritorious Service Medal (2017)