When the Manitoba Moose take on the defending Calder Cup champions from Milwaukee in a two-game set this weekend, don't count on the home team getting all the cheers.
Many of the accolades will be directed toward the Tootoo Train.
Jordin Tootoo, who spent the 2003-04 season in the National Hockey League as a member of the Nashville Predators, returns to Manitoba ice as an Admiral on Saturday and Sunday.
Tootoo played his junior hockey in this province, first with the OCN Blizzard of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (1998-99) and then four years with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (1999-2003).
The 21-year-old can't wait to revisit his old stomping grounds.
"A lot of my family and friends are going to be there," Tootoo said from his hotel in Edmonton as his team prepares to take on the Road Runners tonight.
"I'm not sure of the exact number, but I know it will be quite a crowd," he continued. "Winnipeg is the closest city to Brandon and the northern regions, so I know there will be a lot of support. With the new building and the teams playing well, it should be pretty exciting.
"Hopefully, they'll open up the upper deck."
Both games are sold out (lower bowl capacity of 8,812) and the Moose have no plans to open the upper deck.
Part of the Tootoo contingent will be Jordin's parents, Barney and Rose. With the rigorous travel schedule of professional hockey, the 5-foot-9, 193-pound right-winger welcomes the chance to see his family during the season.
"(My parents) came to most of the Canadian cities we played in and they were down in Nashville a couple times last season," he said. "It's a thrill for them and it's a thrill for myself, too. I don't get to see them too often during the winter, and anytime family is around it's always a positive thing."
Nashville's sixth choice in the 2001 NHL entry draft (98th overall), Tootoo quickly transferred his popularity from the Wheat City to the Music City with his hard-nosed hustle and havoc-wreaking style on the ice.
He only had four goals and four assists (and 137 minutes in penalties) in 70 games as a rookie with the Predators last season and was hoping to build on those numbers in his second go-round in the NHL.
So far, though -- what with the lockout and the change in hockey scenery -- things have not gone according to plan for the Rankin Inlet, Nunavut product.
"I still have to work on a few things to fine-tune my game," Tootoo said of his poor start (11 games, three points).
"It takes time for every player to develop, but I'm still a young guy and I'm still playing.
"That's the bottom line."
Though disappointed with his start, the lack of negotiation between the NHL and the players' association, and the fact he's not playing in the NHL right now, Tootoo still counts his blessings when it comes to his hockey life.
Sure, the AHL is not the NHL, but it's something.
"My teammates in Nashville, some of them aren't even playing which must be very tough to deal with," he said. "Fortunately, I get an opportunity to play the game I love and develop as a player.
"This is such a bonus for me."
