If you have had the opportunity to watch Jordin Tootoo, as he just steps out on the ice and watch him practice, a lot of times you might not notice him. He is not gifted physically say like Mario Lemieux's great size and reach or Jaromir Jagr's great size and reach and skating ability. He doesn't have the strength of Todd Bertuzzi or that type of thing.
But, one thing he has more than any other player in the National Hockey League is his heart and desire. When he jumps over the boards onto the ice in a game situation, the energy of the game changes. He has speed, and his opponents will notice him right away and will be more alert. Because if they don't, 'booooom', before they know it - the thunder has hit them.
Jordin Tootoo has made international headlines because of his unique background of growing up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. Now, the rookie right winger is well past the half-way mark of the his first year in the NHL and now making headlines because of his play. Amazingly, he can compete with the big boys and knock 'em around.
When Jordin Tootoo got drafted by the Nashville Predators, many people didn't how long he would last in the NHL because of his size and his style of play. Nobody had a clue.Even many times it's been written by sports scribes, 'he's going to get hurt'. No way, it's Tootoo's opponent that has been getting hurt by his by the 193 lb tootoo-train.
Tootoo went to the Predators camp in great physical shape as he went to Nashville a month earlier to work out with the strength and conditioning, Mark Nemish. Jordin went through 3 hours a day of gym workouts and ice sessions. "It was hard, but I knew I was getting the best training possible. I don't think I've ever been in as good shape in my life," says Tootoo.
This was Jordin's third pro camp and had some idea of what to expect and knew hard work and determination would be the key ingredients but there are still many differences on playing the game in the NHL.
"I signed a pro contract, so this is going to be my first year of playing pro hockey. It's a big step I'm gonna have to make, but I'm physically ready for it. At the same time, I know that I have to get stronger mentally."
As he has throughout his hockey playing years, he has to earn a spot in the line-up. There have been many players sent down to the farm team already and Jordin is still with the big boys of the Nashville Predators. So, when did he know he has made the Nashville Predators line-up?
"It doesn't seem that long ago that I first learned I had earned a spot in the NHL. It all happened before one of our last pre-season games. David Poile and Ray Shero called me into the office and they congratulated me and told me I was making the opening day roster."
"I was speechless at the time, but as soon as I left I tried to call mom and dad. No one was home, so the first one I got through to was my sister, Corrine. She was screaming for about three minutes straight. I couldn't even talk to her! Finally, I got her to pass on the message to my parents and then I was able to talk to them later in the evening. That was a great conversation, a really proud moment for my family," says Jordin.
The opening game for the Nashville Predators would be on October 9, 2003, against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. And we take you there to the first day for Jordin Tootoo's career in the National Hockey League.
"I woke up that morning and had a great breakfast -my specialty, French toast and an omelette. We had a pre-game skate, and I felt pretty good. Things were going pretty smooth. After that, I went for a pre-game meal with my father and my agents, Don Meehan and Craig Oster, then it was time to head home for an afternoon nap."
Hey Toot's, it's almost game time and you're heading over to the Gaylord Entertainment Centre for your first game in the big show, the National Hockey League. The experience will be something like he never experienced before in his life. Jordin Tootoo is now in the National Hockey League competing against many of his idols and reaching his ultimate hockey dream.
"Once I got to the rink, I definitely had a few jitters but when I stepped on the ice I just went with the flow and away we went. I wanted to have a good start to my career, so I had to make the most of my first shift. I didn't want to be falling all over the ice or anything like that! But I got a couple good hits in and everything just went from there."
"It was pretty obvious that it was a different game, though. The skating was that much faster and the intensity was way higher. It all went pretty quickly. The guys played pretty great and we beat Anaheim 3-1. It was a good way to start things going," says Tootoo.
Almost two weeks into the season, Jordin Tootoo notched his first NHL goal in the first period of a 4-2 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers. His first point was on October 16, 2003, with an assist on Dan Hamhuis's second period marker in a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. He had his first multi-point game as he scored a goal and assisted on another as the Predators defeated the St. Louis Blues at the Gaylord Entertainment Centre on January 10, 2004.
"My first goal was off a face-off in Atlanta. My centre-man won the draw and went to cover the point. Marek Zidlicky saw that I was wide open and I got a one-timer off and it went five-hole."
Tootoo registered a Gordie Howe hat-trick when he scored a goal, got an assist on another goal, and received a fighting major on that same January 10th game against the Blues. His first fight was against Mike Danton, and I think he won that handily.
"I'm not even sure how it all started - I just remember we dropped the gloves and went at 'er. It was definitely a hard-fought battle."
Jordin Tootoo has so-far traveled an eventful historic path in the 55 games he's played with the Nashville Predators. Sure, his journey to the National Hockey League might be indeed quite different from that of his peers, exciting, fun and of course hard work. And no doubt, Jordin Tootoo has certainly energized a flagging franchise and many hockey fans now know that there's more in Nashville, Tennessee, than great country music.
As you may already know, Jordin Tootoo is a unique person, a unique athlete. Not too seldom the NHL gets to draft these kind of players.very, very seldom. He is genuine.He is not someone who, despite all the success, accolades, and media attention, that tries to be any different. He is the way that he appears, and it's no show, just being Jordin Tootoo.
He is a classy person that makes time for supporters of the game he plays and loves. Much of his success of the game can certainly be attributed for his respect of the game and a great upbringing of values that were strongly instilled by parents, Barney and Rose.
The Nashville Predators now currently in their sixth National Hockey League season have never received as much as exposure as they have this season because of Tootoo. The Predators' have plans of winning the Stanley Cup and the management is hoping Tootoo and Scottie Upshall will be the ingredients to that plan. This season, the mix of young players and veterans are ready to claim their first post-season appearance.
Predators head coach Barry Trotz stated in a recent Hockey Digest interview that Jordin Tootoo is adapting well to life in the Music City. "He's adjusted quite well. He's been able to handle a lot of press. All the notoriety that has come his way, he's handled it very maturely and very well."
"We've always been about developing players, and we don't want Jordin to regress; we want him to progress. He's fine. I'm very happy with Jordin Tootoo as a player."
Trotz added by saying, "I think an aspect of his game that is underrated is his skill level. He's got a really heavy shot. He's got good hands. I think the one area that he has to adjust, like most young players, is playing without the puck. Sometimes his energy will override his system tactically from our standpoint. But you don't ever want to take that away from him. He just has to refine his game, so he understands: this is a good time to be aggressive, or this is a good time to be in a contained position. This is responsibility away from the puck."
"And he's growing. He's a really bright kid. And he's going to be a good player. He's going to be a catalyst type player for the Predators for a long time."
Line mate Rem Murray has seen first-hand the progress of Tootoo and is no doubt impressed in many ways. "Jordin's been a very student of the game. He's goes out there and works hard every day.He comes out to the rink, works hard, and listens. So, there's not much you have to say about Jordin. He's very professional in the way he approaches the game."
There are far too many players in the National Hockey League that are somewhat jealous of the exposure and attention that Tootoo has received in his rookie season. But Jordin Tootoo doesn't let that bother him because he can take care of it on the ice as he has done so far in his rookie season.
Regardless if he is playing against guys who have 10-15 years of NHL experience and may be bigger, Jordin Tootoo does not look out of place. He is now in the National Hockey League and he will be around for a number of years. He is not only an asset for the Nashville Predators but also to the National Hockey League.
