In 2003, Jordin Tootoo became the first Inuk ever to play in the NHL. The road to the league was filled with hardship and adversity, but Tootoo learned from those experiences and grew stronger. Today, however, he believes many young players are missing that same mentality.
“These kids are weak mentally,” Tootoo said.
It takes a lot to make it to the NHL. Not only does it require a tremendous amount of talent, but it also demands mental toughness to get up every day, practice, and fight through adversity when things are not going your way.
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Jordin Tootoo’s tough lesson
For Jordin Tootoo, growing up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, facing his fears meant shoveling snow in complete darkness. Recently, on the Ice Guardians podcast, Tootoo explained what that was like.
“Waking up at six in the morning to go shovel snow. Not knowing what’s around the corner. A polar bear or a pack of wolves or a wolverine. You learn to overcome fear because these little moments in your life, when you look back, they help you pursue,” Tootoo said.
Jordin Tootoo was drafted 98th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2001. From there, he went on to play 13 NHL seasons, skating in 723 games for the Predators, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, and Chicago Blackhawks. Along the way, he recorded 161 points and 1,010 penalty minutes.
”These kids are weak”
Now, when he watches young players, Jordin Tootoo feels they are not as decisive as his own generation was.
“This generation, these kids are weak mentally. I’m gonna call a spade a spade. It’s hard to watch, when you know the potential and see that fear of failure. I tell kids, ‘To hell with stepping in with one foot. You gotta jump in with two feet, whatever the outcome is,'” Tootoo said on the podcast.
He then continued.
“If you’re gonna make the same mistakes over and over again, that’s on you. That’s the way life is. Earning your keep, earning your spot. We all had to do it. I understand the game has evolved, the game has changed a little bit. However, in order for an individual to mature and grow, you have to go through hardships,” Tootoo said on the podcast.
You can watch the podcast below.
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