KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
A rare winter visit had Jordin Tootoo skating down memory lane in Rankin Inlet this past month.
The feisty Detroit Red Wings forward came home to visit with family, run a hockey camp and enjoy playing a little puck with the guys in his hometown.
Tootoo said he'd talked numerous times to Rankin rec co-ordinator David Clark about possibly doing a hockey school during one of his summer visits.
He said once he confirmed he'd be coming to Rankin for a week this past month, he contacted Clark and everything worked out for him to hold a Team Tootoo Hockey Camp during his visit.
"I knew it would be tiring because I've done a few camps in the past, and I was going to be pretty busy during my stay, but this was one I just couldn't pass up," said Tootoo.
"Rankin is the place where I grew up playing, and being back on the ice at the arena really brought back the memories of the countless hours I spent here as a kid."
Tootoo said spending so much time at the arena during his visit gave him a chance to relish his childhood memories.
He said he had a tremendous time in Rankin and enjoyed every moment he was on the ice.
"The kids were just awesome during the camp.
"Hockey is the game I love, and this is where I fell in love with the game, and you never forget that.
"It's something really special to come back to where hockey became such a big part of your life, and to have the chance to relive a bit of that while relishing the memories of those earlier years."
Tootoo said he was impressed with the level of skill he saw from many of the young players at the camp.
He said there's a tremendous number of talented kids playing hockey in Rankin, and it's exciting to think how far some of them may advance.
"Obviously, being an isolated community, there's not a lot of competition around for these players.
"The kids go out for a few tournaments a year, but that's pretty much it.
"But, as far as their skills and talent, these kids can definitely keep up with a lot of the kids down south.
"They have to continue developing those skills, and this hockey school really provided a boost for the local coaches, as well, in terms of showing them a lot of different strategies and techniques to help further develop the kids."
Tootoo said it was a great experience to see the level of enthusiasm among the kids towards their ice time, knowing they don't get to play that many real games.
He said watching them running around the arena an hour before they're scheduled to even be on the ice, and loving every minute of it, reminded him of another young boy who once ran down those very same hallways grinning from ear to ear.
"I was the same way here as a kid and, in my opinion, having this facility has probably been one of the best things for the community.
"I didn't realize how many kids were in each group until they actually came out for their session.
"The biggest surprise for me was the number of female participants, with, I think, about 25 taking part all together throughout the camp.
"That really got my attention and it's just great to see the game growing like that in this community."
Tootoo said it was a nice feeling to see how many people in the community came out to watch the handful of games he played in during the week.
He said it was a lot of fun playing with, and against, all the local senior men's players.
"They (senior men) do a lot for the community and it's great to see so many people come out to support the games here.
"It meant a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the senior men's players, too."
Clark said the camp was a tremendous success.
He said having professional hockey player Shawn Allard join Tootoo in Rankin was an extra bonus that went over very well with everyone.
"All the minor hockey coaches were raving about Jordin's camp, as were a lot of the parents and the kids, themselves," said Clark.
"Right before Christmas was a perfect time to have it.
"Everyone was in a great mood and the kids were eager to learn.
"It was a great way for them to end the year."
Clark said about 10 kids from other communities came to Rankin for the camp.
He said Tootoo, Allard and the community coaches kept the players busy at all times on the ice.
"Everyone knows what Jordin's accomplished, and Shawn (Allard) played pro hockey in Europe and coached there for a few years," said Clark.
"He moved back to Ottawa and started a company called Perfect Skating, which works with professionals and other high-level athletes.
"He got his big break when Ottawa Senator Mike Fisher went to the Nashville Predators and didn't score in his first 15 games there.
"Fisher used to work with Shawn, so he called him down, turned things around, and the Preds hired Shawn as their skills and skating coach," he said.
