Jordin Tootoo of the Nashville Predators. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The right-winger for the Nashville Predators was born in Churchill, Manitoba and spent most of his childhood in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. In the 2007-2008 season he had 11 goals and seven assists in 63 games, and scored twice in the playoffs.

CBCSports.ca: How did you get into hockey?

Tootoo: "Well, I guess growing up where I came from, there was a lot of ice and snow everywhere, so it was kind of a natural thing for us to do. So I started playing street hockey--our streets back home are pretty much ice, so we're up there skating on the road and bombing around there.

"The only negative thing was that it was -45, -50 degrees outside. We worked hard enough to work up a sweat up there, and when the snow came in by January, we were out on the streets every day. Then my father, who was a hockey player himself, got the minor hockey program going up there."

CBCSports.ca: What was the first game you remember playing?

Tootoo: "Probably it was when I was 14 years old. I went down south to Edmonton, to play in a tournament. That was pretty much the first time we played organized minor hockey.

"Back home we just played against each other, and we didn't know the minor hockey rules they had in place, with all the different regulations. My first game I was running around, I figured I was playing against my buddies, and if they wanted to fight we could fight. But my first game I got suspended for six games (laughs). I got into brawls and it wasn't too good."

CBCSports.ca: Who was your funniest teammate?

Tootoo: "I'd have to say all my friends back home. We made fun of each other, and we still do when I go home or when they come down south and visit me. We still goof around like we're little kids."

CBCSports.ca: Where was the most memorable tournament you ever played?

Tootoo: "It's probably the one up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. We brought a team from Rankin thinking we weren't going to do good, but we pretty much dominated the whole tournament and ended up winning.

"That was the first tournament we went on, probably around 12 or 13 years old, and we never played that calibre of hockey, we just played against each other. But next thing you know we were thrown into this little tournament, and we just dominated those guys."

CBCSports.ca: Where was the worst arena you've ever played at?

Tootoo: "I'd probably have to say Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, (the Moose Jaw Civic Centre, home of the WHL's Warriors). They call it the 'crushed can.' Worst fans ever, they hated me--well, every building pretty much hates me, but those guys were pretty scary. But at the same time I love it because it gives me more motivation."

CBCSports.ca: Where was the coldest game of hockey you ever played?

Tootoo: "Back in my hometown. We were playing in -20 degrees (indoors). Our rink is natural ice, so it had to be cold enough for the ice to keep frozen."

CBCSports.ca: Who was the most memorable hockey parent you ever met?

Tootoo: "One of my best friends, Scottie Upshall's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Upshall. I've known Scottie for probably 14 years now, and I became good friends with them. Every summer we do a golf tournament together."