'Couldn't be more excited:' Chicago Blackhawks sign Jordin Tootoo to 1-year deal
33-year-old says it was a no-brainer decision to sign with Cup-contending team
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut's Jordin Tootoo will be back playing in the National Hockey League next season.
On Tuesday, the 33-year-old Tootoo signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks, reportedly worth $750,000.
"I couldn't be more excited to put on that jersey," Tootoo told host Robert Kabvitok of CBC North's Tusaajaksat.
"They're contenders every year for the [Stanley] Cup. Every player's dream is to win the Cup."
Jordin Tootoo's deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Blackhawks?src=hash">#Blackhawks</a> is 1 yr @ $750,000, awaiting confirmation on 1-way/2-way.
—@generalfanagerThis will be Tootoo's fourth team in the NHL, after previous stints with the New Jersey Devils, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Nashville Predators, who drafted Tootoo 98th overall in 2001.
Tootoo said he had been speaking with the Blackhawks for about a week before signing the contract. He also spoke with some current members of the team, including captain Jonathan Toews.
"I know my role," he said. "They know how I play. I can't wait to lace 'em up."
The only Inuk player in the NHL, Tootoo also had kind words for his home territory of Nunavut and community of Rankin Inlet.
"Nunavut's always been behind my back. Truly honoured to be a part of Nunavut," he said.
"Thanks to all my supporters in the North."
Tootoo became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 after spending the last two seasons in New Jersey. Last year, Tootoo tallied four goals and nine points in 66 games with the Devils.
He averaged 11:31 of ice time every game, led the team with 102 penalty minutes, set a career-high with five power play points and a career-low with a minus-26 rating.