Proud Tootoos in Rankin
Tournament to bear Terence's name; Jordin nominated for humanitarian player award
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Monday, March 28, 2016
RANKIN INLET
There wasn't a moment's hesitation from Rose and Barney Tootoo when committee member Troy Aksalnik asked their permission to rename the Avataq Cup senior men's hockey tournament to the Terence Tootoo Memorial this past month.
Rose and Barney Tootoo gave their blessing to have the Avataq Cup senior mens hockey championship renamed to the Terence Tootoo Memorial beginning in Rankin Inlet in 2017. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
The inaugural Terence Tootoo Memorial will take place in Rankin Inlet in 2017.
For Rose and Barney, having a hockey tournament named in memory of their son, Terence George (Okkumaluk) Tootoo, who took his own life on Aug. 28, 2002 in Brandon, Man. at the age of 22, was something they'd long hoped for.
Rose said she was very pleased when Aksalnik told her the local senior men's loop was in favour of the name change with her and Barney's approval.
She said the first thing she remembered thinking at the time was why wouldn't it be OK?
"We always had it in the back of our minds that we'd like to start a Terence Tootoo Memorial tournament," said Rose.
"We thought hard about it on the 10th year of Terence having passed away but, you know, you need money for everything and Jordin (Terence's brother Jordin of the NHL's New Jersey Devils) being so far away didn't help matters much.
"So, we just sort of let it be until this opportunity came along, when members of the family associated with the Avataq didn't want it go any longer under that name.
"The Avataq ran for 15 years and next year it will be 15 years since Terence passed away, so that's some coincidence."
Rose said Aksalnik had talked to Jordin about the name change before approaching them.
She said Jordin told Aksalnik he was all for it but the committee would have to get his parents' permission for the change.
"There have been some comments about the tournament, that, maybe, it should have been given another name, but we were asked and we said yes.
"There may be another opportunity for one family in particular who didn't agree with it being named after Terence, perhaps an old-timers tournament or something in the future.
"But we were approached about the Terence Tootoo Memorial, we were asked for our permission, and we gave it.
"We're very proud the tournament is going to have our son's name associated with it starting next year."
Rose said she was also very proud to learn Jordin had been nominated by the Devils for the 2015-16 NHL Foundation Player Award earlier this month.
It's the second year the Devils nominated Jordin for his efforts in applying the core values of hockey to enrich the lives of people in his community, as well as his commitment to assisting charities that address suicide awareness, prevention and youth at risk through Team Tootoo.
"It was just awesome to hear he had been nominated for it again," said Rose.
"It sure would be nice to see him win this award for all the work he does."
Barney said he feels it was time for the Avataq's name change.
He said, as he understands it, there were family members associated with the sinking of the Avataq who were reminded of the tragedy every year the tournament rolled around.
"A lot of guys who have played in this tournament over the years have either played with Terence or against him in their younger years," said Barney.
"The boys played all their younger hockey here.
"It's a privilege to have Terence's name on a tournament like this.
"Rose and I are just tickled pink about it right now."
Barney said it was a little funny to hear about Jordin's nomination at first, because a number of people thought someone had posted an old news story on social media from 2015.
He said he had to double-check himself to make sure it was a 2016 nomination.
"As parents, Rose and I are very proud to hear of Jordin's nomination.
"Jordin's done a lot of work trying to help other people through that foundation, so Rose and I are very happy for him.
"Every place Jordin's been, or everywhere he's been heard of, he's done his best to reach out to people, especially Inuit and all aboriginal youth.
"He's worked hard at this and it's the second time he's been nominated for the award, so I hope this is the year he gets his name on it."
