Team Spirit: The Jordin and Terence Tootoo Story starts during the summer of 2002 in Rankin Inlet, a tiny arctic community in Canada's newly created Nunavut territory. Just as the Inuit-one of the indigenous peoples of Canada's north-are realizing the dream of self-government in their own territory, two young brothers are also making history. Terence and Jordin Tootoo grew up playing street hockey in a region known for its harsh winters and 22 hours of darkness per day in mid-season. In the eyes of their community, the brothers are already hockey superstars, but their talents are about to attract attention at hockey's highest levels. Twenty-two-year old Terence has become the first Inuit hockey player to play professionally, and 19-year-old Jordin is trying out for Canada's 2002 national junior team and ultimately the NHL.
But tragedy strikes when Terence suddenly commits suicide. A big favourite with his Roanoke Express teammates, Terence is mourned by family, friends, Inuit people across Nunavut, and his many fans in his adopted hockey home in Virginia. Jordin, left with the full weight of role-model pressure and the increasing glare of the media spotlight, strives to carry on and realize his NHL dreams.
"One of the best documentaries of the year..."
- Toronto Star
"Team Spirit...is many different kinds of stories all at the same time-it's a story of hope and determination, a story of unwavering family commitment, a story of sports heroics and the pressures of stardom, and a tragic tale of loss, grief and redemption."
- Winnipeg Free Press
