SAN JOSE, Calif. — Joe Thornton, known for his exceptional ability to create goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates, was honored with a jersey retirement ceremony on Saturday, which became a heartfelt celebration of his impact on the game. Numerous former teammates gathered to share stories and express their admiration for Thornton’s contributions, his leadership qualities, and the friendships he forged, leading to many emotional moments for the legendary player throughout the event.
In a poignant speech, Thornton reflected on his career, stating, “The best thing hockey ever gave me — friends for life.” He took the time to acknowledge the support he received from former teammates, coaches, executives, and family members who played significant roles throughout his journey in professional hockey.
Dressed elegantly in a black suit topped with a top hat, Thornton made his entrance by walking past the current Sharks players, who sported fake beards in solidarity. He navigated through the iconic Shark head and was met with roaring applause from a packed arena.
A host of former Sharks teammates contributed to a touching tribute video dedicated to Thornton, affectionately referred to as “Jumbo.” His gratitude was palpable as he stated, “It feels good to be back.” With his dazzling playmaking ability, joyful spirit, and distinctive beard, Thornton rightfully became the face of the Sharks franchise, culminating in the retirement of his No. 19 jersey, now proudly displayed in the rafters.
This honor places Thornton beside his long-time friend and teammate Patrick Marleau, marking them as the only players with retired jerseys in Sharks history. Their parallel journeys began as first and second overall picks in the 1997 NHL Draft, and they spent 13 memorable seasons together in San Jose. Marleau expressed his appreciation during the ceremony, saying, “Thank you for making hockey fun, even in the hardest moments. I’m very thankful and honored that your banner is going to be up next to mine.”
Thornton initially joined the NHL as the top overall pick by the Boston Bruins but reached the pinnacle of his career through his 15 seasons with the Sharks, following a pivotal trade on November 30, 2005. In the annals of Sharks history, he holds records for the most assists with 804, second for total points at 1,055, third in games played with 1,104, and fourth in total goals at 251. His influence played a key role in elevating the Sharks from a struggling franchise to a formidable playoff contender.
“San Jose is his city and the Sharks are his team,” stated former teammate Joe Pavelski, who made his first public return to the Shark Tank since his retirement last season with Dallas. Over his career, Thornton appeared in 1,714 regular-season games, accumulating 1,109 assists and 430 goals. A four-time NHL All-Star, he also represented Canada with pride, securing an Olympic gold medal in 2010, and adding to his accolades the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP and the Art Ross Trophy as the top scorer in 2005-06, his first full year with San Jose after the trade.
Currently, Thornton ranks seventh all-time in assists, 14th in career points with 1,539, and sixth in games played. Although winning the Stanley Cup eluded him, with his only final appearance resulting in a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016, his legacy remains unmistakable.
Once he joined the Sharks, the team experienced consistent success, qualifying for the playoffs in all but two seasons during his tenure. Thornton helped steer the team to a Presidents’ Trophy win for the best regular-season record during the 2008-09 season, as well as notable playoff runs, including back-to-back conference finals appearances in 2010 and 2011, a trip to the Stanley Cup final in 2016, and another journey to the Western Conference final in 2019.
In closing, Thornton expressed his gratitude to the Sharks fans, stating, “Thank you, Sharks fans. And like I said when I retired, ‘I’ll see you at the rink. Peace and love. Go Sharks.’”