Former NHLer to Share His Story in Windsor

A retired player from the National Hockey League is coming to Windsor next month to share his story.

Jordin Tootoo will be the keynote speaker at Stigma Enigma's annual Mingle for Maryvale.

He will discuss personal issues including his struggles with mental health, alcoholism and the death of his brother Terence Tootoo who committed suicide in 2002.

"I think it's led me to give back to our communities and you know for me it's healing," says Tootoo.  "When I'm able to talk about the tough conversations, it really helps me heal as a person."

Tootoo feels it's important to share his story and hopes he's making a difference.

"It's hard to hear the truth but at the same time, in order to confront those fears and stick with it, you know having the courage to keep going one day at a time and people really relating and resonating with my story helps them," says Tootoo.

He says his struggles started to hit him in his mid 20's.

"Being young and kind of naive to the whole mental health stigma, yeah it was hard for me to conversant, I didn't know how," says Tootoo.  "I grew up in a household where basically nothing was said, you shut the down and you walk away."            

Tootoo played in the NHL for 13 seasons.

He was drafted by the the Nashville Predators, but also played for the Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Tootoo was also the first Inuk player to put on a NHL jersey.

He also wrote a book with Stephen Brunt called "All the Way, My Life on Ice."

The Mingle for Maryvale event takes place at the Caboto Club on Saturday, November 9 at 5:30pm.