OTTAWA, ON - OCTOBER 22: Jordin Tootoo #22 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on October 22, 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey winger Jordin Tootoo said Vancouver's Alexandre Burrows made disparaging comments about his personal life and family during the Devils' 4-3 overtime victory Sunday night.
Tootoo, the first Inuit player to reach the NHL, said Burrows made the comments while they were serving penalties in the second period.
Tootoo, who entered the NHL/NHLPA substance abuse and behavioral health program in 2010 because of an alcohol problem, said the remarks were "classless and unacceptable in this day and age."
He said he challenged Burrows to a fight and Burrows declined.
"If you're going to talk the talk, you've got to walk the walk. To make the remarks he did about my personal life and family is classless and unacceptable in this day and age," Tootoo told NJ.com.
Tootoo's brother, minor-league hockey player Terence, committed suicide in 2002 following an arrest for drunk driving.
Tootoo suggested the NHL should investigate and said the penalty box monitor was shocked by what Burrows was saying.
"I have no respect for that guy," Tootoo said about Burrows. "Nor should the NHL. They shouldn't tolerate stuff like that."
Devils coach John Hynes acknowledged that it was a dirty game on and off the ice.
"I was really proud of the fact we had to battle through tonight. It wasn't the cleanest game," Hynes said.
Burrows talked to reporters at the same time Tootoo was speaking, and wasn't available later to respond to Tootoo's comments.
Includes reporting by The Associated Press.
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