On the same day the San Jose Sharks of the NHL retire his #19, Mayor Joe Preston and city council have declared this Saturday as Joe Thornton Day in St. Thomas.
Over a career that spanned 24 NHL seasons, Thornton spent 15 of those campaigns with the Sharks.
He spent one full season with the Jr. B St. Thomas Stars in 1994-95, racking up 104 points in 50 games.
In reading the proclamation at city hall, Preston praised Thornton for his dedication, talent and love of the game.
Preston noted just a few of Jumbo Joe’s accomplishments.
Thornton played one season for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2020-21 season, netting 20 points in 44 games.
Preston praises Thornton as an ambassador for the community.
Thornton became just the seventh player in NHL history to skate in 1,500 games, collect 1,000 assists and score 400 goals.
When the Sharks announced they would retire Thornton’s # 19 he observed, “It has been an honor and a privilege to play in the National Hockey League for 24 seasons. But when I came to San Jose, it felt like I was truly home. I fell in love with the area and the people, and I had the best years of my career wearing the Sharks crest.
“I want to thank Hasso Plattner, the Sharks organization, my teammates, our fans and especially my family for all their support over my career. I am humbled by this recognition, which is a reflection of all of those great teams we had in San Jose during my time there.”
Plattner is an investor in San Jose Sports & Entertainment Enterprises, which owns the San Jose Sharks, and other related properties as well as managing the city owned SAP Center at San Jose.
