From Ice to Inspiration: How Jordin Tootoo’s Unseen Battle Redefined Rock Bottom

“Losing my brother at the age of 19, my path could have definitely taken a different direction, but I knew, in order for my brother’s legacy to live on, I had to keep going and live by his words on a daily basis,” Tootoo said. “The note that he left me, (telling me to) go all the way, take care of the family, you’re the man – I used that to motivate me and keep inspiring me to put my head down and keep his legacy living on.”

Tootoo developed an alcohol addiction in his adult days, and it affected virtually every aspect of his life. But after entering the NHL and NHL Players Association’s Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program in 2010, he began to understand and come to terms with the anguish he was enduring day in and day out. 

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