Documentary features life story of first Inuk player in the National Hockey League

Updated Oct. 27, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. (EDT)

A documentary about the life of trailblazing Inuk hockey star Jordin Tootoo is finally coming to the screen.

The film, simply titled Tootoo, can now be steamed on Super Channel and On Demand until March 31, 2027.

Tootoo, the first Inuk in the National Hockey League, played 765 NHL games over 13 seasons before he retired in 2017.

Tootoo spent most of his pro career with the Nashville Predators but also had stints with the New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings.

Tootoo was known for his physical play and thunderous checks and was nicknamed The Tootoo Train for his aggression against opponents.

His life away from the rink, however, was filled with tragedy, including intergenerational trauma, substance abuse and the loss of his older brother, who took his own life.

Tootoo, who is now 42 and a motivational speaker primarily for Indigenous audiences, said a film about his life had been talked about for some time.

"I was approached while I was still playing regarding my life story and I just didn't really feel like it was the right time to do it," he said. “I was just kind of waiting until my career was done.”

Even when retired, Tootoo wasn’t ready to launch the project.

“There was a lot going on," he said. "I was newly married. We started having our little ones. And I just knew how much time and effort it was going to take to make a documentary, so I held off until the last four or five years.”

Tootoo said the COVID-19 pandemic brought on some challenges, including difficulties with travel schedules.

"It took some time," he said. "But I'm glad of the time that we spent making sure that we got it right. The process was nice and slow, which was good."

Though he was an extremely popular pro, Tootoo was hurting off the ice as alcohol and drugs were taking a heavy toll on him. He entered the NHL’s Substance Abuse Program and has now been sober for 14 years.

"These past 14 years have allowed me to grow as a man, as a husband, as a father, and it's been quite enjoyable, to be honest,” he said. “There's been a lot of tough times, but that's life. And I'm now able to tackle these challenges with clarity because I'm content and comfortable in my own skin."

Like most other pro hockey players, Tootoo was hoping that one day he would win the NHL’s ultimate prize.

"I never had the chance to hoist it," he said. "But it's all good. I've got three Stanley Cups (his daughters) I get to wake up to every morning. And that's 10 times better."

Tootoo is hoping that his documentary provides hope and inspiration to others.

“We all have history,” he said. “We all have shame and guilt in our lives that we sometimes want to forget about. But in order to move forward, we have to allow time and patience because people don't change overnight. And in the 14 years in my sobriety journey, I've grown immensely. I've come to the realization that in order for an individual to live freely, you have to kind of bring up your past and let go of it.”

Tootoo was raised in a home in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut where domestic violence and alcohol was prevalent. Interviews with his parents Rose and Barney are included in Tootoo.

"I think our relationship over the last 14 years in my sobriety has grown and gotten a lot better in regards to communication because I grew up in an environment where it was almost kind of cutthroat,” he said. “There was a ‘put up with it and shut up and deal with it’ kind of mentality.”

Tootoo also believes making the film has been cathartic.

“It's allowed us to become a little bit softer and a little more compassionate towards each other, rather than the anger and the upfront in your face kind of mentality," he said. "I've really seen my parents, their calmness come down a little bit more. And obviously when you're in a small town and everyone knows you, we're freaking airing out our laundry. So, it takes a lot of courage.”

Tootoo also loves the fact his speeches are helping others. He said he frequently hears from people whose family members have decided to go to rehab after hearing Tootoo speak.

"I get it quite often actually," he said. "I try and speak to a lot of our men in our communities when I do my presentations. And that's the rewarding part. That tells me I'm doing the right thing for our people. If I could help one person every event that I do, that is what it's all about."

Though he retired from the NHL eight years ago, Tootoo said he still usually plays hockey once a week in Kelowna, B.C. where he has been living since 2007.

"We have a lot of ex-pros that retire around here," he said. "So, we lace them up once a week and go out there and beak each other and laugh."

But no, he’s no longer an agitator who will drop his gloves and engage in fisticuffs.

"Them days are over," he said. "The days of back checking and hitting and all that are over. Now it's more about the dressing room. That's what we all miss."