Longtime San Jose Sharks pivot and future Hall of Famer Joe Thornton announced his retirement from the National Hockey League on Saturday in a video released on the Sharks’ social media.
Thornton did not suit up during the 2022-23 campaign and last played for the Florida Panthers in the 2021-22 season.
“Judging how many people keep asking me, I guess I have to tell you, I’m officially retired from the NHL,” Thornton said. “I have so much love for the game of hockey, and for a countless number of people that helped this kid dream become a reality and if you’re looking for me, you know where to find me, I’ll be at the rink.”
Thornton was initially selected No. 1 overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. He made his NHL debut during the 1997-98 season, tallying seven points in 55 games. Throughout Thornton’s illustrious career, he recorded 430 goals and 1,109 assists for 1,539 points in 1,714 NHL games played while captaining both the Bruins and Sharks and participated in six NHL All-Star Games. During the 2005-06 season, Thornton registered 96 assists and 125 points, earning himself the Art Ross Trophy recipient as NHL’s top scorer and the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP.
Before going pro, Thornton was a vital member of the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) Soo Greyhounds, who selected him as No. 2 overall in the OHL Draft in 1995. Thornton recorded 71 goals and 127 assists, good for 198 points in 125 OHL games. During the 1995-96 season, Thornton was named the OHL and CHL’s Rookie of the Year. Earlier this summer, the Greyhounds announced that Thornton’s #19 will be raised to the rafters as the club will be retiring his number on Nov. 4.
On the international stage, Thornton played for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship in 1997, the 2004 World Cup, the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2010 Winter Games. Thornton also played pro hockey in Switzerland for HC Davos and participated twice in the Spengler Cup and once in the Swiss Cup.
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