Nashville Predators’ forward, Jordin Tootoo, cleared for practice after rehabilitation
Jordin Tootoo, forward for Nashville Predators, has been cleared by the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players Association after he entered into the last phase of the substance abuse and behavioral health program to enter into practice.
Tootoo, who inducted himself into the program on the 27th of December, has received rehabilitation due to issues which he has prohibited from exposing.
According to speculations, Tootoo had domestic violence and drug addiction problems which he fortunately thought of correcting when the time was right.
Had he not, many problems and continuing abuse could have led to failure in maintaining his career and family life.
Being the first Inuit (A group of people who are inhabitants of the Arctic regions of Canada) to be selected in the NHL in 2003, it is his seventh year and his best season yet, letting everything go would be a big disappointment for everyone.
''With the support I've gotten from my teammates, my family, the fans of Nashville, it has been unbelievable',' a recovering Tootoo said about how he got through was only due to the prayers of his loved ones. ''Without their support, I probably couldn't
have done it, I think bottom line is it's something I needed to do and at the same time, I'm just happy to be back and thankful'.'
But this is not the finish line yet for the 27-year-old Nashville Predator.
Tootoo is on an outpatient care program being examined by doctors affiliated with the NHL and the NHL Players Association. As of now he is unable to participate in matches and road trips but will be as soon as the green light is given from all authorities
involved.
Looking at what Tootoo has gone through, one can observe that being able to partake even in practice sessions of the team is a blessing.
''I'm just going to take it one day at a time. Right now I'm just living in the moment and enjoying every bit of it. I can't tell you how far down. I'm just going to live in the moment right now,'' a clearly joyous Tootoo said while speaking to reporters
on Monday for the first time since being cleared.
It wasn’t only his fans and family who were supporting him and awaiting his return, the Nashville Predators welcomed him back with open arms.
A major guidance and well wisher for Tootoo was General Manager of the Nashville Predators, David Poile, who suggested that he receive proper treatment for his issues, but in the whole process remained calm and confident that it was for the best.
"Nobody's perfect", Poile said while commenting on Jordin Tootoo’s condition and progress. "We all have different issues in our life. I think that it just reached you know a situation where he was becoming more difficult and obviously a distraction to others
in our organization. The point is, this is the important point, is that Jordin got it and Jordin did it and he knows he's better off for it today".
Fellow players and coach, Barry Trotz, have also expressed their happiness for Tootoo’s self taken action to make himself a better person overall.
There can’t be a certain date and time when Jordin Tootoo will be playing live in front of a Nashville crowd, one thing we are certain about is that all steps taken should ensure the physical and mental fitness of Jordin.
Putting into order his family should be his utmost priority while the doors to play professional hockey are always open.
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