Often recognized by his intimidating brown beard, “Jumbo” Joe Thornton was a force to be reckoned with for almost a quarter-century and a San Jose Sharks staple for 15 seasons.
While they never hoisted the Stanley Cup, the San Jose Sharks were electric in the 2000s and 2010s, consistently qualifying for the playoffs with a deep roster. From Thornton to Joe Pavelski to Patrick Marleau, one could always count on San Jose to either win the Pacific Division or finish a close second.
Thornton is the Sharks’ all-time leader in assists with 804 and his 1,055 point total only trails Marleau for the franchise record. For the franchise’s first 30 seasons, the Sharks didn’t have a single number retired before Marleau became the first one to receive the honor during the 2022-23 season. Last week, however — the Sharks announced that Thornton would have his No. 19 retired — etching the former center’s name in Sharks history forever.
Thornton actually spent seven full years as a Boston Bruin before the Sharks landed him in a blockbuster trade during the 2005 season. From then on, San Jose won four of the next six division titles, with Thornton leading the league in points and assists in 2005-06 and pushing his team through the playoffs.
Jumbo Joe’s Sharks tenure started off with him winning both the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy in 2006 and he never looked back. Thornton became captain of the Sharks in 2010 and didn’t take his leadership role lightly, constantly fighting opposing players to stick up for his team. While the Sharks constantly fell short of the Stanley Cup Finals, they were always so close, and it felt like it was just a matter of time before they won big.
In 2015-16, Thornton totalled 82 points despite only having 65 the year prior. San Jose was coming off its first year not qualifying for the playoffs in over a decade, and was destined to get back to the promised lands. The then-36 year old’s dynamic passing ability not only helped carry the Sharks back to the playoffs, but this time, to uncharted waters: the Stanley Cup Finals.
Thornton’s team-leading seven assists in San Jose’s tight Western Conference Finals series victory over the St. Louis Blues in six games continued to show his resilience, even with so many games played on the season.
While the Sharks failed to win their first Stanley Cup, losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games, Thornton was part of a historic Sharks team that did something past team’s never accomplished. Thornton was awarded Sharks Player of the Year for the third time in 2016, which emphasized his critical role on that incredible runner-up squad.
Thornton would depart the Sharks following the team’s disappointing 2019-20 season when they missed the playoffs following yet another Western Conference Finals berth the year before. He would attempt to contend for a Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs the next season before joining the Florida Panthers in 2021-22 for what would be his last season. While he failed to win a Stanley Cup, Thornton’s 24-year career will forever give him legendary status in the NHL.
While the exact date for Joe Thornton’s number retirement hasn’t been specified yet, expect a huge celebration for the fan favorite, similar to Marleau’s last season. In the wake of what could be San Jose’s worst season in over 30 years, the announcement has surely generated plenty of excitement for otherwise downtrodden Sharks fans.
While the Sharks are now only a shell of what they once were, fans can forever reminisce about the glory days of Thornton and his decade and a half of leadership and poise in teal. Starting next season, all they will have to do is look up to the rafters to remind themselves of Thornton’s reign.