Jordin Tootoo’s story has never fit neatly on the back of a hockey card — and it was never only about hockey. As the 2025 documentary TOOTOO arrives on Apple TV and other streaming platforms, it carries the weight of his journey from Churchill, Manitoba, to the NHL, and the sobriety work that followed, according to Nashville Predators coverage at NHL.com.
Draft: 2001, 98th overall · NHL seasons: 15 · Teams played: 4 · Position: Right Wing. Those bare numbers only matter because TOOTOO is interested in what happened off the ice.
Key facts about Jordin Tootoo’s life and career:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jordin Tootoo NHL.com / Nashville Predators |
| Born | Wikipedia |
| Birthplace | Churchill, Manitoba, Canada Jordin Tootoo’s official site |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) Elite Prospects |
| Weight | 195 lb (88 kg) (Elite Prospects) |
| NHL Draft | 2001, Round 4, 98th overall, Nashville Predators (NHL.com / Nashville Predators) |
| Position | Right Wing (Elite Prospects) |
| Years Active (NHL) | 2003–2017 HockeyDB |
| Teams Played | 4 (HockeyDB) |
Confirmed facts
- Title: TOOTOO, listed as a 2025 release on Apple TV’s listing.
- Also described as arriving on other streaming platforms.
- The documentary follows his path from Churchill, Manitoba, to the NHL.
- It includes his draft by Nashville and conversations about sobriety and resilience, according to NHL.com / Nashville Predators.
- Screenings have supported The Hockey News’ reported community initiatives.
- Screening proceeds benefit IndigeNash and The Forge.
- Tootoo’s official site describes him as a mental health advocate.
- His team, Team Tootoo, supports at-risk youth in Canada.
What happened to Jordin Tootoo?
Jordin Tootoo’s NHL career spanned 15 seasons with four teams, but his story is defined by personal tragedy and recovery. His older brother Terence died by suicide in 2002, an event that sent Tootoo into alcohol addiction and depression. He entered the NHL’s substance abuse program in 2010 and has been sober since. Tootoo retired in 2018 after a final season with the Chicago Blackhawks.
What happened to Jordin Tootoo’s brother?
Terence Tootoo took his own life in 2002 at age 22. The loss deeply affected Jordin, who later said he turned to alcohol to cope. The documentary TOOTOO explores this grief and its impact on his career and mental health.
What is Jordin Tootoo doing now?
Today Tootoo works as a motivational speaker and runs the Team TOOTOO Foundation, which supports at-risk youth in Canada. He also released an autobiography, The Jordin Tootoo Story, in 2021. According to his official site, he uses his platform to break down stigma around mental health.
Is Jordin Tootoo sober?
Yes. Tootoo entered the NHL’s substance abuse program in 2010 and has maintained sobriety since then. He has spoken publicly about his recovery and credits it with saving his life. The documentary devotes significant time to this journey.
How much money did Jordin Tootoo make?
Over his 15‑year NHL career, Tootoo earned more than $10 million in salary. Estimates place his current net worth at around $5 million, according to sports finance databases. His income also includes speaking fees and book sales.
Where does Jordin Tootoo live now?
Tootoo splits his time between Manitoba and Nunavut, where he stays connected to his Inuit community. He frequently travels for speaking events and foundation work.
What is Jordin Tootoo’s ethnicity?
Tootoo is of Inuit descent, born in Churchill, Manitoba, and raised in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. He is one of the first Inuit players to reach the NHL.
Who is Jordin Tootoo married to?
He married Jennifer Tootoo in 2015. The couple has two children. Jennifer is often involved in his advocacy work and community events.
What makes TOOTOO more than a hockey movie?
TOOTOO is not a highlight reel. The Hockey News quoted Tootoo saying the film is “not just a hockey documentary” and that he wants it to inspire people to speak up and make changes. That framing matches the version of the story told by Nashville Predators coverage at NHL.com, which emphasizes his move away from Churchill, his journey into the NHL, and the resilience of his sobriety.
Bottom line: this is a film about asking for help as much as it is about hockey.
Why sobriety is the film’s emotional center
The documentary spends significant time on Tootoo’s sobriety. Nashville Predators coverage at NHL.com says the film shows Tootoo and loved ones discussing his journey, while his official site places mental health at the center of his public work. This is not a side plot; it is the reason the film exists.
Where the documentary has connected with audiences
The film has already become an event for community audiences. Nunatsiaq News’ coverage from Edmonton captured Inuit community members coming out to support Tootoo and the film. At the same time, The Hockey News reported on the film’s community-first mission, including benefits tied to IndigeNash and The Forge.
The implication: the film’s impact extends far beyond the rink, building real community ties.
What Tootoo wants viewers to remember
Tootoo has been clear that TOOTOO is meant to open doors. “It’s not just a hockey documentary,” he told The Hockey News, pointing to the film’s larger message about honesty, resilience, and asking for help. His official site extends that idea into his advocacy work with at-risk youth and his broader invitation to have uncomfortable conversations about mental health.
How and where to watch TOOTOO in 2025
The most concrete way to watch TOOTOO so far is through Apple TV’s listing, which places the film in 2025. Official materials also describe the documentary as heading to other streaming platforms. For updates, Tootoo’s official site remains the best place to watch for additional distribution news.
Timeline: from Churchill to the big screen
- 1983: Jordin Tootoo was born on February 2 in Churchill, Manitoba, according to Wikipedia.
- 2001: Drafted by Nashville in Round 4, 98th overall, according to NHL.com / Nashville Predators.
- 2003–2017: His NHL career ran across those seasons, according to HockeyDB.
- 2025: TOOTOO is listed as a 2025 release on Apple TV.
The pattern: Tootoo’s life milestones map directly onto the film’s narrative arc, from tragedy to redemption.
Confirmed vs. still unclear
- Confirmed: The film’s title, the 2025 release listing, Tootoo’s draft history, and his mental health advocacy are documented by Apple TV, his official site, and The Hockey News.
- Still unclear: The exact global streaming date, the full list of platforms beyond Apple TV, and whether the 2025 rollout will happen all at once or through community screenings.
What this means: while core facts are solid, viewers should monitor Tootoo’s site for precise availability.
The film in two voices
“It’s not just a hockey documentary.”
— Jordin Tootoo, as quoted by The Hockey News
“I’m just very proud of him.”
— An Edmonton Inuk supporter, as reported by Nunatsiaq News
Related reading
- Apple TV — TOOTOO listing
- Jordin Tootoo’s official site
- Nunatsiaq News — Edmonton Inuit and the TOOTOO screening
- NHL.com — Nashville Predators
- The Hockey News
- Tie Domi: Ethnicity, NHL Career, and Family Life
nhl.com, podcasts.apple.com, nhl.com, ctvnews.ca, nhl.com, thehockeynews.com, energeticcity.ca, jordintootoo.com, jordintootoo.com, theturtleislandnews.com
Frequently asked questions
Is TOOTOO a 2025 release?
Yes. Apple TV’s listing places the film in 2025.
Where can I watch TOOTOO?
The documentary is listed on Apple TV and has been described as heading to other streaming platforms.
Is the documentary only about hockey?
No. According to The Hockey News, Tootoo says the film is “not just a hockey documentary.” It focuses on sobriety, resilience, and community.
Who benefits from the film’s community events?
Screening partnerships have benefited IndigeNash and The Forge, with community partnerships reported by The Hockey News.
What does Team Tootoo do?
According to Tootoo’s official site, Team Tootoo supports at-risk youth and reflects his mental health advocacy.
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Daniel Campbell is Editor-in-Chief at True North Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.