Joe Thornton facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Joe Thornton
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2025
Thornton with the San Jose Sharks in April 2016
Born	(1979-07-02) July 2, 1979 (age 46) St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	219 lb (99 kg; 15 st 9 lb)
Position	Center
Shot	Left
Played for	Boston Bruins HC Davos San Jose Sharks Toronto Maple Leafs Florida Panthers
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	1st overall, 1997 Boston Bruins
Playing career	1997–2022

Joseph Eric Thornton (born July 2, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a centre, which is a forward who plays in the middle of the ice. He played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), including the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers.

Joe Thornton was picked first overall by the Bruins in the 1997 NHL entry draft. He played seven seasons with them, even serving as their captain for three years. In the 2005–06 NHL season, he was traded to the Sharks. That season, he won two big awards: the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in points, and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player. He is the only player in NHL history to win either award while playing for two different teams in the same season.

Thornton played 14 more seasons with the Sharks, leading them as captain for four of those years. He even helped them reach the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals. He was the last active NHL player to have played in the 1990s. He was also the last player to have shared the ice with the legendary Wayne Gretzky.

People knew Thornton for his amazing vision on the ice, his strength with the puck, and his excellent passing skills. He was a great playmaker, meaning he was very good at setting up goals for his teammates. Many consider him one of the best passers ever. He is one of only 14 players in NHL history to get 1,000 assists. His nickname, "Jumbo Joe, " came from his large size. It also honored Jumbo the elephant, who died in St. Thomas, Ontario, where Thornton grew up. Joe Thornton is being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025.

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Playing Career: Joe Thornton's Journey in Hockey

Early Hockey Days: Growing Up on the Ice

Joe Thornton started playing hockey in his hometown of St. Thomas, Ontario. He played "AA" hockey for the St. Thomas Travellers. In 1992–93, his team won an Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship.

When he was 14, he played six games for the Junior B St. Thomas Stars. He scored eight points in those games. The next season, he joined the Stars full-time. As a 15-year-old, he scored 104 points in 50 games. After that, he was picked second overall in the 1995 OHL draft by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds.

Junior Hockey: OHL Success

From 1995 to 1997, Thornton played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for the Greyhounds. In his first year (1995–96), he scored 76 points. He won both the Emms Family Award (OHL Rookie of the Year) and the CHL Rookie of the Year award.

The next season (1996–97), Thornton got even better. He scored 41 goals and 122 points, which was second-highest in the league. He was also named to the OHL second All-Star team.

Boston Bruins: Starting in the NHL

After his strong OHL career, the Boston Bruins picked Thornton first overall in the 1997 NHL entry draft. He broke his arm before the season but still made the team for the 1997–98 NHL season. He scored his first NHL goal on December 3, 1997. As a rookie, he played 55 games and scored three goals and seven points. He didn't play much, averaging only about eight minutes per game.

In the 1998–99 NHL season, Thornton played more. He improved to 41 points in 81 games. He also had 9 points in 11 playoff games.

Thornton became a very important player for the Bruins. His points total increased each year. Before the 2002–03 NHL season, he was named team captain. In his first year as captain, he scored 68 points in 66 games. The next year, he had his first 100-point season, with 36 goals and 65 assists. He was third in NHL scoring that year.

In the 2003–04 NHL season, Thornton's points dropped to 73. He broke his cheekbone in a fight with New York Rangers player Eric Lindros. This injury kept him out for three games. After this season, he never scored 30 goals again in a single year.

Playing in Switzerland During the Lockout

During the 2004–05 NHL lock-out, when NHL games were paused, Thornton went to play in Switzerland. He joined HC Davos in the National League A (NLA). He played with other NHL stars like Rick Nash. They helped HC Davos win the league championship and the Spengler Cup. Thornton continued to train with HC Davos every summer.

When the NHL started again in 2005–06 NHL season, Thornton signed a new contract with the Bruins. However, he was reportedly unhappy with the team. The Bruins were also not happy with his leadership in the playoffs.

Thornton started the 2005–06 season very well, scoring 33 points in 24 games. But the Bruins were not playing well as a team.

San Jose Sharks: A New Chapter and Big Awards

On November 30, 2005, the Bruins traded Thornton to the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks gave up three players for him. Many people think this trade was much better for the Sharks. When Thornton joined the Sharks, the team immediately got better. He played very well with teammate Jonathan Cheechoo.

Thornton scored 92 points in 58 games with the Sharks after the trade. He finished the season with 29 goals and a league-leading 96 assists, totaling 125 points. This earned him the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer. He was the first player to win this award while playing for two teams in one season. His success also helped Cheechoo have a great season, winning the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals.

Thornton with the Sharks in October 2006

In the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, Thornton's scoring dropped. The Sharks were eliminated in the second round. After the season, Thornton won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's MVP. He is the only player in NHL history to win the Hart Trophy while playing for two different teams in the same season.

Sharks Success and Captaincy

For the 2006–07 NHL season, Thornton became a permanent alternate captain. He had a toe injury early in the season but played much better after it healed. He finished with 114 points, including a league-leading 92 assists. He became only the third player in NHL history to have back-to-back seasons with 90 or more assists, joining Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. In the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Sharks won their first series but lost in the second round.

In 2007, Thornton signed a new three-year contract. In the 2007–08 NHL season, he finished with 96 points. The Sharks won their first playoff series but lost in the second round again.

In 2008–09 NHL season, Thornton was named captain for the Western Conference team in the 2009 National Hockey League All-Star Game. He finished the season with 86 points. The Sharks won the Presidents' Trophy as the best team in the regular season. However, they were upset in the first round of the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Thornton (centre background) with Kent Huskins (left background) and Scott Nichol (foreground), in February 2010.

Before the 2009–10 NHL season, the Sharks traded for Dany Heatley. Thornton, Heatley, and Patrick Marleau formed a powerful scoring line. They helped the Sharks have one of their best regular seasons ever. Thornton finished with 89 points. The Sharks were the top team in the Western Conference for the playoffs. They reached the Western Conference Finals but lost to the Chicago Blackhawks. Thornton had a career-high 12 points in those playoffs.

In September 2009, the Sharks removed all captaincy roles. But before the 2010–11 NHL season, Thornton was chosen to be the team's eighth captain. He signed a new three-year contract. He scored his fourth career hat-trick early in the season. On November 6, he was suspended for two games for a hit to the head. Later that season, Thornton passed Marleau to become the Sharks' all-time leader in assists. He also scored his 1,000th career point on April 8, 2011.

In the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, Thornton scored the winning goal in overtime of Game 6 against the Los Angeles Kings. The Sharks reached the Western Conference Finals again but lost. It was later revealed that Thornton played the playoffs with a separated shoulder and a broken finger.

Thornton with the Sharks in December 2011

On January 24, 2014, Thornton signed another three-year contract with the Sharks. At the end of the 2013–14 NHL season, he was 46th in all-time points and 24th in all-time assists in the NHL. He also became the Sharks' all-time leader in assists. The Sharks had a great regular season but lost in the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs after leading the series 3-0.

On August 20, 2014, Thornton was no longer the Sharks' captain. The team started the 2014–15 NHL season without a captain. Joe Pavelski later became the captain. Thornton recorded his 1,300th career point on January 26, 2015. He was the 33rd player in NHL history to reach this milestone. The Sharks missed the playoffs that season for the first time since 2003.

Thornton had a strong 2015–16 NHL season with 82 points. The Sharks returned to the playoffs. They beat the Kings and the Nashville Predators. They then defeated the St. Louis Blues to reach the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history. This was also Thornton's first time playing in the Finals. However, the Sharks lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Thornton finished fifth in playoff points with 21. He was named a Second-Team All-Star for the season.

Thornton during a game against the Philadelphia Flyers in December 2016

On March 6, 2017, Thornton recorded his 1,000th NHL assist. He became the 13th player in NHL history to reach this milestone.

On July 1, 2017, Thornton signed a one-year contract to stay with the Sharks. In January 2018, he injured his ACL and MCL and missed the rest of the season.

On his 39th birthday, July 2, 2018, Thornton signed another one-year contract. On November 13, he scored his 400th career goal. He also reached 1,500 games played and 1,000 assists. Only six other players in NHL history had achieved this. On February 11, 2019, Thornton passed Gordie Howe for ninth place on the NHL all-time assists list. The Sharks reached the Western Conference Finals but lost.

Thornton signed another one-year contract on September 6, 2019. He recorded his 1,500th career point on February 4, 2020. He was not happy that he wasn't traded to a team that could win the Stanley Cup. The Sharks had a disappointing season and missed the playoffs.

Toronto Maple Leafs: A Short Stay

Because the 2020–21 NHL season was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Thornton played for HC Davos in Switzerland again. He had Swiss citizenship, so he didn't count as an "import" player.

On October 16, 2020, Thornton signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He wore number 97 because his usual number 19 was taken. He scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf on January 16, 2021. He later broke a rib and missed some games. He returned and finished the season with 20 points in 44 games. He scored one goal in the playoffs, but the Maple Leafs lost in the first round.

Florida Panthers: Final NHL Season

On August 13, 2021, Thornton signed a one-year contract with the Florida Panthers for his 24th NHL season. He played 34 games and scored a career-low 10 points. The Panthers won the Presidents' Trophy as the best regular season team.

Retirement: A Hall of Fame Career Ends

Thornton did not sign with a team for the 2022–23 or 2023–24 seasons. On October 28, 2023, he officially announced his retirement.

When he retired, Thornton was 12th in league history in total points, seventh in assists, and sixth in games played. During his career, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy in 2005. He also won a gold medal with Team Canada in 2010. He played in six NHL All-Star games and made the NHL Playoffs 19 times.

On January 17, 2024, the Sharks announced they would retire Thornton's number 19 jersey during the 2024–25 season. They held a special weekend celebration for him in November 2024. This included declaring November 23 "Joe Thorn Day" in San Jose and St. Thomas, Ontario. There was also a game with former Sharks players and a ceremony to retire his jersey.

On June 24, 2025, Joe Thornton was voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

International Play: Representing Canada

Medal record
Thornton (second from right) celebrates a goal during the 2010 Winter Olympics as his San Jose teammates Patrick Marleau (#11) and Dany Heatley (#15) join in, as well as Drew Doughty (#8)
Men's ice hockey
Representing Canada
Winter Olympics
Gold	2010 Vancouver	Team
World Championships
Silver	2005 Austria
Canada Cup / World Cup
Gold	2004 Toronto
Gold	2016 Toronto
World Junior Championships
Gold	1997 Switzerland

Thornton played for Canada's national under-20 team at the 1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. At 17, he helped Canada win a gold medal. Two years later, he played for the Canadian men's team at the 2001 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.

Thornton also played in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. He tied for third in scoring with six points, helping Canada win. At the 2005 IIHF World Championship, he led all scorers with 16 points and was named tournament MVP. Canada won the silver medal.

He played in his first Winter Olympics in 2006. Four years later, he was chosen for Canada's Olympic team again for the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. He played with his Sharks teammates Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau. Thornton helped Canada win a gold medal.

Thornton was invited to Canada's camp for the 2014 Winter Olympics but could not attend. He was named to the Canadian team for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

In 2023, Thornton was named co-general manager for Team Canada at the 2023 Spengler Cup.

Personal Life: Beyond the Rink

Joe Thornton is married to Tabea Pfendsack. He met her while playing hockey in Switzerland during the 2004–05 NHL lockout. They have a daughter and a son.

Thornton was born in St. Thomas, Ontario. He became an American citizen in July 2009. He also received a Swiss passport later. Joe Thornton and former Sharks teammate Scott Thornton are first cousins.

Career Statistics: Joe Thornton's Numbers

Bold indicates led league

			Regular season					Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1993–94	St. Thomas Stars	WOHL	6	2	6	8	2	—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs	OMHA	67	83	85	168	45	—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	St. Thomas Stars	WOHL	50	40	64	104	53	—	—	—	—	—
1995–96	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL	66	30	46	76	53	4	1	1	2	11
1996–97	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds	OHL	59	41	81	122	123	11	11	8	19	24
1997–98	Boston Bruins	NHL	55	3	4	7	19	6	0	0	0	9
1998–99	Boston Bruins	NHL	81	16	25	41	69	11	3	6	9	4
1999–00	Boston Bruins	NHL	81	23	37	60	82	—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Boston Bruins	NHL	72	37	34	71	107	—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Boston Bruins	NHL	66	22	46	68	127	6	2	4	6	10
2002–03	Boston Bruins	NHL	77	36	65	101	109	5	1	2	3	4
2003–04	Boston Bruins	NHL	77	23	50	73	98	7	0	0	0	14
2004–05	HC Davos	NLA	40	10	44	54	80	14	4	20	24	29
2005–06	Boston Bruins	NHL	23	9	24	33	6	—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	San Jose Sharks	NHL	58	20	72	92	55	11	2	7	9	12
2006–07	San Jose Sharks	NHL	82	22	92	114	44	11	1	10	11	10
2007–08	San Jose Sharks	NHL	82	29	67	96	59	13	2	8	10	2
2008–09	San Jose Sharks	NHL	82	25	61	86	56	6	1	4	5	5
2009–10	San Jose Sharks	NHL	79	20	69	89	54	15	3	9	12	18
2010–11	San Jose Sharks	NHL	80	21	49	70	47	18	3	14	17	16
2011–12	San Jose Sharks	NHL	82	18	59	77	31	5	2	3	5	2
2012–13	HC Davos	NLA	33	12	24	36	43	—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	San Jose Sharks	NHL	48	7	33	40	26	11	2	8	10	2
2013–14	San Jose Sharks	NHL	82	11	65	76	32	7	2	1	3	8
2014–15	San Jose Sharks	NHL	78	16	49	65	30	—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	San Jose Sharks	NHL	82	19	63	82	54	24	3	18	21	10
2016–17	San Jose Sharks	NHL	79	7	43	50	51	4	0	2	2	0
2017–18	San Jose Sharks	NHL	47	13	23	36	38	—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	San Jose Sharks	NHL	73	16	35	51	20	19	4	6	10	6
2019–20	San Jose Sharks	NHL	70	7	24	31	34	—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	HC Davos	NL	12	5	6	11	4	—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	44	5	15	20	14	7	1	0	1	2
2021–22	Florida Panthers	NHL	34	5	5	10	10	1	0	0	0	0
NHL totals			1,714	430	1,109	1,539	1,272	187	32	102	134	134
NL totals			85	27	74	101	127	14	4	20	24	29

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1997	Canada	WJC	7	2	2	4	0
2001	Canada	WC	6	1	1	2	6
2004	Canada	WCH	6	1	5	6	0
2005	Canada	WC	9	6	10	16	4
2006	Canada	OLY	6	1	2	3	0
2010	Canada	OLY	7	1	1	2	0
2016	Canada	WCH	6	1	1	2	2
Junior totals			7	2	2	4	0
Senior totals			40	11	20	31	12

Awards and Achievements: Joe Thornton's Trophies

Thornton at the 2006 NHL Awards ceremony

Major junior

Named to the OHL All-Rookie Team in 1996.
Won the Emms Family Award as OHL rookie of the year in 1996.
Named the CHL Rookie of the Year in 1996.
Named to the OHL second All-Star team in 1997.

NHL

Played in the National Hockey League All-Star Game in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009 (as captain).
Won the Art Ross Trophy in 2006.
Won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2006.
Named to the NHL first All-Star team in 2006.
Named to the NHL second All-Star team in 2003, 2008 and 2016.
NHL 2K cover athlete - 2007

SUI

Won the Spengler Cup with HC Davos in 2004.
Won the Swiss ice hockey championship with HC Davos in 2005.

Records: Joe Thornton's Unique Achievements

Only player in NHL history to win the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy while switching teams in his winning season (2005–06).
Highest point total by a player playing with two different teams in one season – 125 points (2005–06).
Most games played by the first overall pick in the NHL Entry draft, currently 1714.
San Jose Sharks' all-time leader in assists – 745.
San Jose Sharks' all-time leader in +/- with +172.
San Jose Sharks' all-time leader in points per game with 1.01.