Jordin Tootoo’s time in the National Hockey League (NHL) was highlighted by his willingness to leave it all on the ice and his love of the game. After his retirement in 2018, he has gone on to pursue new passions and continue old ones.
In 2023, Tootoo released his second book titled Mind Over Matter, which dives deep into his upbringing, as well as his experience in the NHL and overcoming substance abuse. The story really puts into perspective how his life and journey has shaped him into the person he has come to be.
Those who have read the book will find themselves realizing exactly how Tootoo’s complicated upbringing created his will to compete at the highest level possible. For those who haven’t, and are looking for a relatable introspective story about strength and triumph, this is a great read.
Tootoo’s Inuk roots play an enormous role in his everyday life. Growing up in Nunavut, living the traditional lifestyle is vital to his spirituality and he talks about his experiences within his community extensively throughout the book.
Tootoo’s words come from a deeply emotional place and his writing reflects that. His raw storytelling captures his experience, and he makes you feel it with complete honesty, touching on how the duality of his life has played a major role in his career and relationships.
Most families have hidden traumas that are not in the open to talk about, but Tootoo wants to break down barriers created by generational trauma to try to uncover truths or at least get the ball rolling to being more open to sharing.
One example of a communication barrier in Tootoo’s life is his relationship with his father. As a child, he and his father were extremely close, but there was also a challenging aspect to their relationship—his father’s own struggle with being a survivor of a residential school as well as a battling alcoholism. Tootoo often found himself wondering what caused his father’s drinking, and how it impacted their bond.
Tragically losing his brother to suicide at a young age deeply affected Tootoo and his family. According to Statistics Canada, suicide rates among First Nations people, Métis and Inuit are consistently higher than non-Indigenous individuals. In the wake of his brother’s death, Tootoo struggled with feelings of confusion and self-blame, wondering if there was something more he could have done to prevent the tragedy.
This event was one of the most lasting thoughts in Jordin’s mind throughout the book and a central theme of the story is the difficulty in accepting letting go of things that are not in your control.
Tootoo’s time in the NHL was marked by ups and downs that impacted both his career and personal life. Early on, the fast-paced lifestyle, filled with bonding and partying, took a toll on him.
He eventually entered the NHL Player’s Association substance abuse program, beginning his journey to sobriety. In his recovery, Tootoo focused on rebuilding relationships, especially within his family, as he sought peace and resolution.
This book is raw and captures Jordin Tootoo’s journey from his early days dealing with complicated family dynamics to his growth throughout the NHL ultimately putting him on a journey of forming stronger relationships with everyone in his life.