Arguably the best player in franchise history, the San Jose Sharks announced today that the organization will retire Joe Thornton’s no. 19 on an unspecified date next season. Taking brief stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, Thorton’s last game played for the Sharks came on March 11th, 2020. As of now, Patrick Marleau is the only other past member of the organization to have his number retired.
Thornton originally came to San Jose via trade; a trade that has now become one of the most lopsided in NHL history. Upset with the direction of the Boston Bruins at the time, Thornton was moved to the Sharks for a package of Brad Stuart, Marco Sturm, and Wayne Primeau, after leading Boston in scoring early in the 2005-06 season. Almost immediately upon his arrival in San Jose, Thornton went on an absolute tear, scoring 20 goals and 92 points in 58 games en route to the Hart Memorial Trophy and Art Ross Trophy at season’s end.
For the next 14 seasons, Thornton would suit up in 1,104 games for the Sharks, finishing second in goals, first in assists, and second in points with 251, 804, and 1,055, respectively. Throughout a 15-year run in San Jose, Thornton led the Sharks to the playoffs for a total of 12 seasons, scoring 20 goals and 115 assists in 144 games.
Although the Hart Memorial and Art Ross Trophy are the only individual awards he would win in San Jose, he received votes for the NHL All-Star Team, Frank J. Selke Trophy, and Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, as well as more votes for the Hart throughout his time as a Shark.
Unfortunately, Thornton will become a part of the group of surefire Hall of Famers who were unable to raise the Stanley Cup throughout their career. However, the closest he got was during the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, when the Sharks managed to take the Pittsburgh Penguins to Game Six of the Cup Final.
Class act. Well deserved, Jumbo!
“Unfortunately, Thornton will become a part of the group of surefire Hall of Famers who were unable to raise the Stanley Cup throughout their career. However, the closest he got was during the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, when the Sharks managed to take the Pittsburgh Penguins to Game Six of the Cup Final.”
Glad to keep him in that group.
Great career, though.
FOREVER SAN JOSE SHARK #19
Whichever night they choose to do the ceremony will be must-watch TV. And I would say that as a Leafs fan even if Jumbo never suited up for Toronto. Well-deserved!
Question: Presuming he never plays another game for the organization, should the Sharks retired Lil Joe’s 8 too?
Joe P is very close. His stats might be a tad short, but his leadership should take him the rest of the way. If I had a vote, I’m probably on the no side as I feel numbers should only be retired for truly elite and not just great. But I would guess most Sharks fans would think he should get his # retired. And I wouldn’t be upset one bit if the club chose to do so. He’s on that cusp and fans that actually watched him play every game, not just once a week or so should hold more say than others. It is limiting their club in the long run after all.
As a fan you describe, and a huge pavs fan (got his jersey, signed pucks etc) I’d lean no. Feels like too many quality years away from the sharks. Love him though and root for Dallas purely because of him.
Still scratching my head over the Bruins trading Thornton, And Seguin for that matter.
Congrats Jumbo on a great career and good luck on future endeavors. Not a SJS fan but he and Patty M deserved at least 1 ring.
Well deserved honor.
Jumbo = Legend. Well deserved, congrats!
If Thornton wants to be a head coach, Mike Grier better f’ing hire him