By Wayne Rivers
APTN National News
RANKIN INLET, NUNAVUT-As the first Inuk to ever play in the NHL, hard-hitting Jordin Tootoo has been a hero to kids in Nunavut.
Tootoo grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, a community on the shores of Hudson’s Bay, about 2000 kilometres northwest of Ottawa.
Troy Aksalnik grew up with Tootoo and played hockey with him on their home town rink.
“We probably started skating when we were three years-old and played hockey ever since,” said Aksalnik.
Aksalnik said that even as a kid, Tootoo was different than his teammates.
“Probably not until we were 11 or 12 when Jordan used to skate circles around everybody and we were like, ‘holy, he has a chance to go somewhere.'”
When he turned 13, Tootoo began playing outside the community.
“When he went to a tournament in Saskatchewan, four of us went, and he got noticed over there and when he moved away…people were like, ‘oh maybe this kid does have a chance,'” said Aksalnik.
Even at a young age, Tootoo was also known for his off-ice antics. Aksalnik remembers that at times the teenage Tootoo took celebrating their victories a little too hard.
“WE all like to have a lot of fun and so sometimes we go a little bit too far,” he said.
In 2002, Tootoo’s older brother Terence Tootoo was arrested for drunk driving in Manitoba. He committed suicide after being released from custody..
The death had a major impact on Jordin Tootoo, who was eventually drafted in 2003 by the Nashville Predators.
Tootoo made headlines as a hard-hitting right-winger. But his hard-hitting lifestyle off the ice got too much for the young star and he decided he needed help. He entered into rehab.
“It was a pretty big surprised to me,” said Aksalnik. ”
After four weeks of intensive therapy, Tootoo returned to his team.
Tootoo’s decision to go into rehab inspired many in the community and his old teammates.
“Me and two or three friends have agreed that we are not going to drink for six months to just support Jordin and now kids will see that when you play in hockey tournaments and you win, alcohol is not always the thing to turn to,” he said. “When kids see him, they are like, ‘oh I want to be like Jordin and I want to make it to the HNL.”
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