By Cheryl Jahn

NHL’er Tootoo addresses Northern Addiction Forum

Mar 23, 2023 | 4:21 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – “He’s a drunk. He’s a loser. He’s a cancer in the dressing room. All of these things and worse have been said about me.”

That’s former NHL’er Jordin Tootoo describing himself not that long ago when he was the NHL’s tough guy. Before he entered rehab. He spoke of his journey to sobriety to hundreds of indigenous leaders. He told the gut-wrenching story of his young brother’s suicide at the age of 22, having borne the responsibility of being the breadwinner at a very young age.

“Every indigenous person that I’ve met has been touched by suicide. That’s why I’m here.”

His brother’s death drove Tootoo to the bottle.

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“When I learned I had lost my brother. My initial reaction was shock. I went from shock to denial. My denial turned to anger and blame. And for seven years, I carried this anger and blame.”

It drove his addiction. But his message after seven years of sobriety.

“I want to commend each and every one of you because I know how hard it is when you live in a remote community and everybody knows everybody. Just remember this: You cannot control what others say or do toward you. All you can control are your actions. And this is a great stepping stone for our communities to become better.”

by Cheryl Jahn

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NHL’er Tootoo addresses Northern Addiction Forum

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