Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Sports Desk • Hockey

Jordin Tootoo

Jordin John Kudluk Tootoo is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger from Churchill, Manitoba.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Jordin Tootoo is a Canadian former NHL right winger and the first Inuk player to compete in the league. He played 13 seasons for four teams before retiring in 2018.

What it is

Jordin John Kudluk Tootoo was born on February 2, 1983, in Churchill, Manitoba, and raised in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He played junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League before being drafted 98th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2001. Tootoo made his NHL debut in 2003 and went on to play for the Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks, recording 65 goals, 96 assists, and 1,010 penalty minutes in 723 regular-season games.

Why it matters

Tootoo is a trailblazer for Indigenous representation in Canadian sport, becoming the first Inuk player in NHL history. His career is widely noted by Canadian media and hockey organizations as a milestone. After retiring in 2018, he shifted focus to mental health advocacy and community work, including through the Team Tootoo Foundation, supporting Indigenous communities.

Key details

Tootoo was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the WHL before reaching the NHL. He retired from professional hockey in 2018. His post-playing career includes mental health advocacy and charitable work tied to the Team Tootoo Foundation.

In short

  • First Inuk player in NHL history
  • Played 723 games for four teams over 13 seasons
  • Retired in 2018, now focused on mental health and community work
Canadian angle

Tootoo is significant in Canada as a trailblazing Inuit athlete and an NHL player from Nunavut-linked communities, making him an important figure for Indigenous representation in Canadian sport.

Quick questions

Who is Jordin Tootoo?
Jordin Tootoo is a Canadian former NHL right winger and the first Inuk player to compete in the league.
Which NHL teams did he play for?
He played for the Nashville Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks.
What is he known for beyond hockey?
He is known for Indigenous representation in sport and for advocacy and community work, including mental health awareness.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordin_Tootoo
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, teams, career totals, and first Inuk NHL player claim.
  2. The Canadian Encyclopedia — https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/jordin-tootoo
    Supports: Biography, birthplace, NHL career, retirement, and community work.
  3. National Aboriginal and Indigenous Hockey Hall of Fame — https://www.naiahf.org/team/jordin-tootoo/inuit
    Supports: First Inuk player drafted by the NHL, career teams, advocacy, and community work.
  4. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nhl/player/stats/_/id/2054/jordin-tootoo
    Supports: Birthdate, birthplace, position, and draft information.
  5. CBC News — https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/jordin-tootoo-retires-1.4871348
    Supports: Retirement announcement, teams played for, and career context.