View source for Joe Thornton

{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1979)}}
{{For|other people named Joseph Thornton|Joseph Thornton (disambiguation){{!}}Joseph Thornton}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name = Joe Thornton
| image = Joe Thornton 2016.jpg
| image_size = 230px
| caption = Thornton with the [[San Jose Sharks]] in April 2016
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|7|2}}
| birth_place = [[St. Thomas, Ontario]], Canada
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lb = 219
| position = [[Centre (ice hockey)|Center]]
| shoots = Left
| played_for = [[Boston Bruins]]<br>[[HC Davos]]<br>[[San Jose Sharks]]<br>[[Toronto Maple Leafs]]<br>[[Florida Panthers]]
| ntl_team = CAN
| draft = 1st overall
| draft_year = 1997
| draft_team = [[Boston Bruins]]
| career_start = 1997
| career_end = 2022
| halloffame = 2025
}}
'''Joseph Eric Thornton''' (born July 2, 1979) is a Canadian former professional [[ice hockey]] [[Centre (ice hockey)|centre]]. He played for the [[Boston Bruins]], [[San Jose Sharks]], [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] and [[Florida Panthers]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL). He was selected [[List of first overall NHL draft picks|first overall]] by the Bruins in the [[1997 NHL entry draft]] and went on to play seven seasons with the club, three as its captain. During the [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06 season]], he was traded to the Sharks. Splitting the campaign between the two teams, he received the [[Art Ross Trophy|Art Ross]] and [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] as the league's leading point-scorer and most valuable player, respectively, becoming the only player in NHL history to win either award in a season played for multiple teams.<ref name=MVP>{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2006/06/23/SPGC3JJ9801.DTL |title=NHL Awards / 'Humbled' Thornton named MVP |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=October 19, 2015 |first=Ross |last=McKeon |date=June 23, 2006}}</ref> Thornton went on to play another 14 seasons with the Sharks, including four seasons as [[Captain (ice hockey)|team captain]] and a run to the [[2016 Stanley Cup Finals]]. Thornton was the last active NHL player and the last [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada#"Big Four" leagues|big 4 North American sports]] player to have played in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeMartino |first1=Joe |title=Adam Vinatieri was one of the last players standing from the '90s |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/24326028/adam-vinatieri-was-one-last-players-standing-90s |website=ESPN |access-date=January 10, 2022 |date=May 26, 2021}}</ref>

Thornton's on-ice vision, strength on the puck, deft passing ability and [[Power forward (ice hockey)|power forward]] style of play led to him becoming one of the league's premier centres and [[wiktionary:playmaker|playmakers]].<ref name="trade-to-sj" /> He is widely regarded as one of the best passers of all time, and he is one of only [[List of NHL career assists leaders|14 players with 1,000 NHL assists]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/leaders/assists_career.html|title=NHL & WHA Career Leaders and Records for Assists|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=September 20, 2019}}</ref> His nickname "'''Jumbo Joe'''" is a nod to his large stature and to [[Jumbo|Jumbo the elephant]], who died in [[St. Thomas, Ontario]], where Thornton was raised.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brennan|first1=Pat|title=Jumbo the elephant leaves a big legend in southern Ontario|url=https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2010/09/08/jumbo_the_elephant_leaves_a_big_legend_in_southern_ontario.html|access-date=April 29, 2018|work=Toronto Star|date=September 8, 2010|quote=Joe Thornton, an NHL star with the San Jose Sharks, is known as Jumboin part because he hails from St. Thomas.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Rea|first1=Kyle|title=St. Thomas honours its hockey hero with banner|url=http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/2010/07/10/st-thomas-honours-its-hockey-hero-with-banner|access-date=April 29, 2018|work=St. Thomas Journal|date=July 10, 2010|quote=The nickname is a homage to Jumbo, the famous elephant killed in St. Thomas 125 years ago.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206122253/http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/2010/07/10/st-thomas-honours-its-hockey-hero-with-banner|archive-date=December 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Thornton was inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-24 |title=Chara, Thornton, Keith, Mogilny among 8 elected to Hockey Hall of Fame {{!}} NHL.com |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/zdeno-chara-joe-thornton-duncan-keith-alexander-mogilny-elected-to-hockey-hall-of-fame |access-date=2025-06-24 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Playing career==

===Amateur career===
Thornton grew up playing [[minor ice hockey|minor hockey]] in his hometown of [[St. Thomas, Ontario|St. Thomas]], [[Ontario]], for the St. Thomas Travellers. He played "AA" hockey for the Travelers minors and in peewee won an [[Ontario Minor Hockey Association]] (OMHA) championship in 1992–93.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/2010/07/10/st-thomas-honours-its-hockey-hero-with-banner|title=St. Thomas honours its hockey hero with banner|last=nurun.com|website=St. Thomas Times-Journal|access-date=June 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206122253/http://www.stthomastimesjournal.com/2010/07/10/st-thomas-honours-its-hockey-hero-with-banner|archive-date=December 6, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.omha.net/page/show/885451-omha-champions|title=OMHA Champions|website=omha.net |publisher=Ontario Minor Hockey Association}}</ref> His Bantam year was the first for the newly created "AAA" Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs organization, and Thornton joined the "AAA" Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario for the 1993–94 season. The creation of this organization led to the St. Thomas Minor Hockey Association to compete at the "A" level. During his bantam year, he appeared in six games for the Junior B [[St. Thomas Stars]] of the [[Ontario Hockey Association]] (OHA), scoring eight points in six games as a 14-year-old. The following season, Thornton joined the Stars full-time and reeled off 104 points over 50 games as a 15-year-old,<ref name=nhl>{{cite web|title=Joe Thornton's NHL Profile|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8466138|access-date=March 7, 2011|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> and was subsequently drafted second overall in the 1995 OHL draft to the [[Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds]] behind [[Daniel Tkaczuk]], who was selected by the [[Barrie Colts]].

Beginning in [[1995–96 OHL season|1995–96]], Thornton began a two-year career in the [[Ontario Hockey League]] (OHL) with the Greyhounds. He posted a 76-point season in his first year, earning both [[Emms Family Award|OHL]] and [[CHL Rookie of the Year]] honours.<ref name=tsn>{{cite web|title=Joe Thornton: Bio |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/player-bio/joe-thornton/bio |work=[[The Sports Network|TSN]] |year=2015 |access-date=November 12, 2015}}</ref> The [[1996–97 OHL season|following season]], Thornton improved to 41 goals and 122 points, second overall in League scoring behind [[Marc Savard]] of the [[Oshawa Generals]], and was named to the OHL second All-Star team.<ref name=tsn/>

===Professional (1997–2022)===
====Boston Bruins (1997–2005)====
After his second OHL season, Thornton was selected first overall in the [[1997 NHL entry draft]] by the [[Boston Bruins]]. Thornton suffered a fractured arm in the Bruins' pre-season but made their roster for the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 campaign]]. He scored his first career NHL goal on December 3, 1997, in a 3–0 win against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]].<ref>{{cite news|title=NHL Last Night; Hasek Blanks Anaheim|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F07E5DA123DF937A35751C1A961958260|access-date=January 21, 2009|date=December 5, 1997|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Bruins head coach [[Pat Burns]] was measured in his deployment of Thornton, using him almost exclusively on the fourth [[line (ice hockey)|line]] and making him a regular healthy scratch. Averaging eight minutes and five seconds of ice time per game over the course of the season,<ref>{{Cite web|title=1997–1998 – Regular Season – Boston Bruins – Skater – Time on Ice – Time on Ice Per Game|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=19982BOSSASALL&sort=avgTOIPerGame&viewName=timeOnIce|access-date=October 22, 2011|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> he registered three goals and seven points in 55 games as a rookie. In the [[1998 Stanley Cup playoffs]], Thornton went scoreless in six games.

In [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]], Thornton saw significantly more ice time, averaging 15 minutes and 20 seconds per game,<ref>{{cite web|title=1998–1999 – Regular Season – Boston Bruins – Skater – Time on Ice – Time on Ice Per Game|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=19992BOSSASALL&sort=avgTOIPerGame&viewName=timeOnIce|access-date=October 22, 2011|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> and improved to 41 points in 81 games, as well as a 9-point effort in 11 [[1999 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoff games]].

Thornton continued to build into a key player in the Bruins' line-up, increasing his points total in each of the following two campaigns. Prior to the [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03 season]], he was named team [[Captain (ice hockey)|captain]], succeeding [[Jason Allison]], who was traded to the [[Los Angeles Kings]] in 2001; the captaincy position was vacant for a full season after Allison's departure. In his first season as team captain, Thornton recorded 68 points over 66 games. The following year, he notched his first career [[List of NHL players with 100-point seasons|100-point season]] with 36 goals, a career-high, and 65 assists. He ranked third in NHL point-scoring, behind [[Peter Forsberg]] of the [[Colorado Avalanche]] and [[Markus Näslund]] from the [[Vancouver Canucks]].

Thornton's production declined to 73 points in 77 games in the [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04 campaign]]. He suffered a fractured right cheekbone in a fight with [[New York Rangers]] centre [[Eric Lindros]] during a game on January 19, 2004. The two power forwards fought after Lindros cross-checked Thornton in the head. The injury required surgery,<ref>{{cite news|title=Thornton to have surgery|url=http://archive.boston.com/sports/articles/2004/01/22/thornton_to_have_surgery/|access-date=January 6, 2015|date=January 22, 2004|work=[[Boston Globe]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527223017/http://articles.boston.com/2004-01-22/sports/29200767_1_surgery-today-joe-thornton-eric-lindros|archive-date=May 27, 2012}}</ref> keeping him out of the line-up for three games.<ref name=tsn/> The 2003–04 campaign also saw a drop in Thornton's goal-scoring production that has never since rebounded; his last 30-goal season came during the 2002–03 season.

During the [[2004–05 NHL lock-out]], Thornton went abroad to play for [[HC Davos]] of the Swiss [[National League (ice hockey)|National League A]] (NLA). He played on a line with fellow NHL players [[Rick Nash]] and [[Niklas Hagman]], helping HC Davos to win the League championship and the [[Spengler Cup]]. Nash and Thornton have subsequently kept in contact with HC Davos and their longtime coach [[Arno del Curto]]; Thornton returned to train with the club for up to a month each summer.<ref name="lockout">{{cite web|url=http://hockeydraft.ca/players/joe-thornton.aspx |title=Joe Thornton |website=Hockeydraft.ca |access-date=September 27, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-world-championship-oc09/home/news/news-singleview-world-championship-2009/article/test-1.html |title=The best coach in Europe, The Harry Potter look-alike is no wizard; simply a coaching genius |date=2009-04-15 |first=Szymon |last=Szemberg |website=IIHF.com |access-date=April 9, 2011 |archive-date=December 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111222190037/http://www.iihf.com/channels/iihf-world-championship-oc09/home/news/news-singleview-world-championship-2009/article/test-1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>{{outdated inline|date=October 2019}}<!-- Most recent reference is from a decade ago. Is this still true? -->

Ahead of the NHL resumption in [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]], Thornton became a [[restricted free agent]] in summer 2005. Negotiations on a new contract were strained: Thornton was reportedly unhappy with the direction of the Bruins franchise, and upset with criticism of his play in the Bruins' early [[2004 Stanley Cup playoffs|playoff exit in 2004]].<ref name="unhappy">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/columns/story?id=2106450 |title=ESPN What will the new NHL look like? – NHL |work=ESPN |first=Scott |last=Burnside |date=July 12, 2005 |access-date=September 27, 2008}}</ref> Boston's front office was apparently unhappy with Thornton's leadership style and for not raising his level of play during the playoffs. Nevertheless, Thornton re-signed with Boston on August 11, 2005, to a three-year, $20 million contract.<ref name="trade-to-sj">{{cite web |title=Thornton traded to Sharks for three players |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2242875 |website=ESPN |access-date=September 27, 2008 |date=November 30, 2005}}</ref>

Thornton began the 2005–06 season strongly (33 points in 24 games), making him the team's leading scorer by a substantial margin, but the Bruins were struggling in the standings. 

====San Jose Sharks (2005–2020)====
On November 30, 2005, Thornton was [[Trade (sports)|traded]] to the [[San Jose Sharks]] in exchange for forwards [[Marco Sturm]], [[Wayne Primeau]] and defenceman [[Brad Stuart]].<ref name="trade-to-sj" /> [[Mike O'Connell]], the Bruins [[general manager]] who traded Thornton, stated in June 2011 that he "would still make the trade", and that it was "satisfying" that Boston had won the [[Stanley Cup]] before Thornton's new team had.<ref name="o'connell">{{cite news|url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/06/17/felger-mazz-ex-gm-mike-oconnell-glad-bruins-won-before-sharks/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107021007/http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/06/17/felger-mazz-ex-gm-mike-oconnell-glad-bruins-won-before-sharks/ |url-status=dead |archive-date= November 7, 2011 |title=Felger & Mazz: Ex-GM Mike O'Connell "Glad" Bruins Won Before Sharks |newspaper=CBSBoston.com |date=June 17, 2011 |access-date=October 22, 2011 }}</ref> Despite O'Connell's stance, the trade is widely considered to be a lopsided deal in favor of the Sharks. Upon arriving in San Jose, Thornton improved the Sharks' fortunes and found instant chemistry with [[winger (ice hockey)|winger]] [[Jonathan Cheechoo]]. During the absence of usual [[Captain (ice hockey)#Alternate captains|alternate captain]] [[Alyn McCauley]] from the San Jose line-up, Thornton donned the "A" for the first time as a Shark in a game against the [[Arizona Coyotes|Phoenix Coyotes]] on March 30, 2006,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pollak |first=David |date=January 28, 2023 |orig-date=January 28, 2023 |title=San Jose Sharks’ playoff hopes take another hit in 3-0 loss to Phoenix Coyotes |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/03/10/san-jose-sharks-playoff-hopes-take-another-hit-in-3-0-loss-to-phoenix-coyotes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128111230/https://www.mercurynews.com/2012/03/10/san-jose-sharks-playoff-hopes-take-another-hit-in-3-0-loss-to-phoenix-coyotes/ |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |access-date=October 6, 2024 |website=The Mercury News}}</ref> and wore the "A" whenever McCauley was out of the line-up for the remainder of the season. Tallying 92 points in 58 games with the Sharks after the trade, Thornton finished the season with 29 goals, a league-leading 96 assists and 125 points total to earn the [[Art Ross Trophy]] as the league's top scorer. He became the first player to win the award while splitting the season between two teams. Due to Thornton's success, Cheechoo also enjoyed a career-season, winning the [[Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy|Rocket Richard Trophy]] as the NHL's top goal-scorer with 56 goals. However, in the [[2006 Stanley Cup playoffs|2006 playoffs]], Thornton was once again criticized for his play, as his production decreased to two goals and seven assists for nine points in 11 games as the Sharks were ousted in the second round by the eighth seeded [[Edmonton Oilers]]. In the off-season, Thornton was honoured for his regular season play and was awarded the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] as the league' regular season MVP to go with his Art Ross Trophy.<ref name=MVP/> He is the only player in NHL history to win the Hart Trophy while playing for two different teams in the same season.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Gold-Smith|first1=Josh|title=10 years later: Remembering the Joe Thornton trade|url=https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/897398|website=thescore.com|access-date=March 27, 2018|date=November 30, 2015}}</ref>

[[File:Joe Thornton.jpg|thumb|left|Thornton with the Sharks in October 2006]]
Thornton began the [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07 season]] being awarded a permanent alternate captaincy, but struggled in the first half of the season while suffering from a toe injury that did not heal until January 2007.<ref name="toe-injury">{{cite web|url=http://www.mahalo.com/Joe_Thornton |title=Joe Thornton – Mahalo |publisher=Mahalo.com |access-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref> After recovering, Thornton enjoyed a productive second half, battling [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] centre [[Sidney Crosby]] for a second-consecutive scoring title late in the year, eventually finishing six points behind Crosby with 114. With a league-leading 92 assists, Thornton became only the third player in NHL history to record back-to-back 90-assist seasons, joining [[Wayne Gretzky]] and [[Mario Lemieux]].<ref name="the-nhl-arena">{{cite web|url=http://www.thenhlarena.com/lofiversion/index.php/t592.html |title=The NHL Arena &gt; Joe Thornton No. 19 |publisher=TheNHLarena.com |date=July 15, 2007 |access-date=October 19, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421065410/http://www.thenhlarena.com/lofiversion/index.php/t592.html |archive-date=April 21, 2009 }}</ref> Thornton began the [[2007 Stanley Cup playoffs|2007 playoffs]] by recording six assists in the Sharks' first-round series against the fourth-seeded [[Nashville Predators]], who the Sharks upset in five games. Advancing to the second round against the top-seeded [[Detroit Red Wings]], he recorded a goal and three assists in the first three games of the series. However, Thornton was effectively neutralized by Red Wings defenceman [[Nicklas Lidström]],<ref name="joe-nicklas">{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/playoffs/sandet?season=2006 |title=NHL – 2007 Playoffs San Jose Sharks vs. Detroit Red Wings |work=Yahoo! Sports |access-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref> for the remainder of the series as the Sharks were eliminated in six games. Thornton ended the playoffs with a goal and 10 assists for 11 points in all 11 games.

In the 2007 off-season, Thornton signed a three-year contract extension worth US$21.6&nbsp;million.<ref name="3-year-contract">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2922448 |title=ESPN Three-year extension keeps Thornton in San Jose through 2011 – NHL |date=July 2007 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |access-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref> In the [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08 season]], the Sharks finished as the second seed in the West and Thornton finished with 96 points (29 goals and 67 assists) all 82 games to finish fifth in NHL scoring and first on the Sharks. He also recorded two goals and eight assists for 10 points in all 13 playoff games in the [[2008 Stanley Cup playoffs|2008 playoffs]], which saw the Sharks defeat the seventh-seeded [[Calgary Flames]] in seven games before falling in six games against the fifth-seeded [[Dallas Stars]].

In [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09]], Thornton was named captain of the [[Western Conference (NHL)|Western Conference]] for the [[2009 National Hockey League All-Star Game|2009 NHL All-Star Game]] in [[Montreal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=264258&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main|title=Kovalev, Thornton named All-Star team captains |work=TSN|date=January 22, 2009|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002163646/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=264258&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main|archive-date=October 2, 2013}}</ref> He completed the season with 86 points (25 goals, 61 assists) to help the Sharks win the [[Presidents' Trophy]] as the regular season champions. In the [[2009 Stanley Cup playoffs|2009 playoffs]], he recorded a goal and four assists in six games as the Sharks were upset in six games in the first round by the eighth-seeded [[Anaheim Ducks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290427025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430075139/http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=290427025|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 30, 2009|title=Ducks complete upset of top-seeded Sharks |work=ESPN}}</ref>

[[File:20100206 Huskins Nichol and Thornton (4354875864).jpg|right|thumb|Thornton (centre background) with [[Kent Huskins]] (left background) and [[Scott Nichol (ice hockey)|Scott Nichol]] (foreground), in February 2010.]]
In September 2009, before the start of the [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10 season]], the Sharks acquired [[Dany Heatley]] in a three-player trade with the [[Ottawa Senators]] that sent Thornton's struggling former linemate Jonathan Cheechoo, along with left-winger [[Milan Michálek]] and a second-round draft pick to the [[Ottawa Senators]]. Thornton, Heatley, and [[Patrick Marleau]] were joined on the Sharks' top line and enjoyed immediate offensive success together. The trio helped the Sharks to one of their best-ever regular seasons in franchise history. Although the line's production slowed down in the second half of the season, all three Sharks players finished in the League's top 15 in point-scoring. Thornton's 89 points ranked eighth, while Marleau and Heatley finished 14th and 15th in League scoring with 83 and 82 points, respectively. The Sharks entered the [[2010 Stanley Cup playoffs|2010 playoffs]] as the top seed in the Western Conference for the second-consecutive year and the Presidents' Trophy runner-up behind the [[Washington Capitals]]. After advancing past the eighth-seeded [[Colorado Avalanche]] in six games and fifth-seeded Detroit Red Wings in five games in the first two rounds, the Sharks were eliminated by the second-seeded and eventual Stanley Cup champion [[Chicago Blackhawks]] in the Western Conference Finals in a four game sweep. Thornton finished the playoffs with a career-high 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in all 15 games.

After the elimination, team management vacated all the Sharks' captaincy positions, including Thornton's role as one of the alternate captains. Prior to the [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11 season]], he was chosen to replace the retiring [[Rob Blake]] as the eighth captain in team history on October 7, 2010. Nine days later, he signed a three-year, US$21&nbsp;million contract extension with the Sharks. Near the start of the 2010–11 season, Thornton scored the fourth hat-trick of his NHL career in a 5–2 win over the [[New Jersey Devils]]. On November 6, Thornton was suspended two games for a controversial hit to the head against [[St. Louis Blues]] forward [[David Perron]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=LeBrun|first1=Pierre|title=Joe Thornton suspension upheld|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=5768457|work=ESPN|access-date=March 27, 2018|date=November 6, 2010}}</ref> Perron missed the remaining 72 games of the 2010–11 season due to post-concussion syndrome. He returned after missing 97 games over 13 months (394 days) on December 3, 2011. Later in the campaign, Thornton eclipsed Marleau as the Sharks' all-time leader in assists. Thornton scored his 1,000th career point with a goal in a game against the Phoenix Coyotes on April 8, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Jerry|title=Joe Thornton scores 1,000th NHL point|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/joe-thornton-scores-1000th-nhl-point/c-558839|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 27, 2018|date=April 9, 2011}}</ref> In the first round of the [[2011 Stanley Cup playoffs|2011 playoffs]], Thornton scored the series-winning goal in overtime of Game 6 against the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Kings to advance the Sharks to the second round where they would meet the third-seeded Detroit Red Wings for the second consecutive season and defeat them in seven to clinch a second consecutive appearance in the Western Conference Finals where the Sharks would fall to the Presidents' Trophy-winning [[Vancouver Canucks]] in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/310524022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417111404/https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/310524022 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 17, 2020 |title=Canucks reach Stanley Cup finals after last-minute tie, bizarre 2OT winner |agency=Associated Press |website=[[ESPN]] |publisher=ESPN |date=May 25, 2011 |access-date=April 11, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://puckprose.com/2011/04/26/chase-for-the-cup-2011-stanley-cup-playoffs-round-up-for-day-13/ |title=Chase for the Cup: 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round Up for Day 13 |website=puckprose.com |publisher=Puck Prose |author=Editorial Staff |date=April 26, 2011 |access-date=March 2, 2025}}</ref> Thornton ended the playoffs with three goals and a career-high 14 assists and career-high 17 points in all 18 games. A day after the Sharks' Game 5 loss against the Canucks that resulted in their elimination from the playoffs, it was revealed that Thornton had sustained a separated shoulder three days earlier in Game 4 as a result of a shoulder-to-shoulder hit from Canucks' forward [[Raffi Torres]] and played there entire playoffs with a broken finger he originally sustained in a 6–0 shutout win over the Dallas Stars on March 31 as a result of a slash from Stars’ defenceman [[Stéphane Robidas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2011/5/25/2189368/joe-thornton-separated-shoulder-san-jose-sharks-game-5-nhl-playoffs-2011 |title=Sharks Vs. Canucks, Game 5: Joe Thornton Played With Separated Shoulder |website=sbnation.com |publisher=SB Nation |author=Travis Hughes |date=May 25, 2011 |access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/714498-nhl-playoffs-player-injuries-indicate-that-sharks-play-for-each-other |title= NHL Playoffs: Player Injuries Indicate That Sharks Play for Each Other |author=Tom Scherier |website=bleacherreport.com |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=2011 |access-date=July 1, 2025}}</ref>
[[File:Joe Thornton 2011 1.jpg|thumb|left|Thornton with the Sharks in December 2011]]
On January 24, 2014, Thornton signed a three-year contract extension with the Sharks through to the 2016–17 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sharks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=702154|title=Thornton & Marleau Agree to Three-Year Extensions|publisher=[[San Jose Sharks]]|date=January 24, 2014|access-date=January 24, 2014}}</ref>

At the end of the [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14 season]], Thornton ranked 46th on the all-time points leaders (1,194) and 24th on the all-time assist leaders (852) for the NHL. He also became the San Jose Sharks' all-time leader in assists with 567.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/t/thornjo01.html|title=Joe Thornton Stats|website=Hockey-Reference.com|access-date=November 25, 2018}}</ref> Thornton finished the 2013–14 season with 11 goals and 65 assists as the Sharks amassed 111 points, just six short of their franchise's all-time-high mark, and were among the favourites to win the Stanley Cup. Facing their in-state rival Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the [[2014 Stanley Cup playoffs|2014 playoffs]], the Sharks won the first three games in the series. However, the eventual Stanley Cup champion Kings won the next four games and became just the fourth team in NHL history to win a playoff series in seven games after initially trailing three games to none. Thornton finished the playoffs with just two goals and an assist for three points in all seven games.

On August 20, 2014, Sharks head coach [[Todd McLellan]] announced that Thornton had been stripped of his captaincy and that the Sharks would start the [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15 season]] without a captain.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_26373449/sharks-take-away-thorntons-captaincy-raffi-torres-out|title = Sharks take away Thornton's captaincy; Raffi Torres out indefinitely|last = Pollak|first = David|date = August 20, 2014|work = The Mercury News|access-date = August 20, 2014}}</ref> [[Joe Pavelski]] was eventually named Sharks' captain at the start of the [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16 season]].

On January 26, 2015, Thornton recorded his 1,300th career point during a game against the Colorado Avalanche with his assist on a Joe Pavelski goal, Thornton's second assist of the game.<ref name = "1,300th">{{cite web|last1=Gilmore|first1=Eric|title=Thornton gets 1,300th point, Sharks top Avalanche|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/joe-thornton-gets-1300th-point-san-jose-sharks-top-colorado-avalanche/c-277818192?tid=277731550|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 26, 2018|date=January 27, 2016}}</ref> Thornton is the 33rd player in NHL history to reach 1,300 points.<ref name = "1,300th"/> Thornton recorded 16 goals and 49 assists during the 2014–15 season as the Sharks failed to qualify for the [[Stanley Cup playoffs]] for the first time since [[2003 Stanley Cup playoffs|2003]].

Thornton finished the 2015–16 season with 19 goals and 63 assists for 82 points in 78 contests as the Sharks returned to the playoffs after a one-year slump. In the [[2016 Stanley Cup playoffs|2016 playoffs]], the Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings in the first round in five games, avenging a previous loss to them two years earlier. In the second round, they defeated the [[Nashville Predators]] in seven games and advanced to the Conference Finals for the first time since 2011, where the Sharks defeated the St. Louis Blues in six games to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history. This was also Thornton's first time playing in the Finals in his career. However, the Sharks lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games in the [[2016 Stanley Cup Finals|Finals]]. Thornton finished fifth in playoff points with 21 and second in playoff assists with 18.<ref>"Joe Thornton." NHL.com. National Hockey League, n.d. Web. June 26, 2016.</ref> At the end of the season, Thornton was named a Second-Team All-Star for the 2015–16 season.

[[File:Sharks vs Flyers (31195489054).jpg|thumb|right|Thornton during a game against the [[Philadelphia Flyers]] in December 2016]]
On March 6, 2017, in a game against the [[Winnipeg Jets]], Thornton recorded his 1,000th NHL assist on a Joe Pavelski goal, becoming the 13th player in NHL history to reach the milestone.<ref>{{cite web|title=Joe Thornton of Sharks gets 1,000th assist|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-joe-thornton-reaches-1000-career-assists/c-287454432|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 27, 2018|date=March 6, 2017}}</ref>

On July 1, 2017, Thornton signed a one-year contract to return to the Sharks for the [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/sharks-re-sign-forward-joe-thornton-to-a-one-year-contract/c-290277678|title=Sharks Re-Sign Forward Joe Thornton to a One-Year Contract|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> In January 2018, Thornton injured his [[anterior cruciate ligament|ACL]] and [[medial collateral ligament|MCL]] and missed the remainder of the season recovering from surgery.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thornton could be back this season for Sharks: report|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/joe-thornton-could-reportedly-come-back-to-sharks-this-season/c-296242316|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=March 29, 2018|date=February 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sharks' Joe Thornton out multiple weeks after damaging MCL|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sharks-joe-thornton-multiple-weeks-damaging-mcl/|website=Sportsnet|access-date=March 29, 2018|date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>

On July 2, 2018, his 39th birthday, Thornton signed a one-year contract to return to the Sharks for the [[2018–19 San Jose Sharks season|2018–19 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/joe-thornton-signs-one-year-contract-with-sharks/c-299316388|title=Thornton signs one-year contract with Sharks|publisher=National Hockey League|date=July 2, 2018|access-date=July 2, 2018}}</ref> On November 13, he scored his 400th career goal against the Nashville Predators to go along with 1,500 games played and 1,000 assists. {{As of|2018}}, this feat has only been achieved by six other players in NHL history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/hockey/news/sharks-joe-thornton-wins-game-with-400th-goal/|title=Sharks' Joe Thornton: Wins game with 400th goal|publisher=National Hockey League|date=November 13, 2018}}</ref> On February 11, 2019, in a 7–2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, Thornton passed [[Gordie Howe]] for ninth place on the NHL all-time assists list.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sharks light up DiPietro in NHL debut, trounce Canucks |url=https://www.tsn.ca/sharks-light-up-dipietro-in-nhl-debut-trounce-canucks-1.1256293 |work=TSN |access-date=February 12, 2019 |date=February 11, 2019}}</ref> Thornton and the Sharks reached the Western Conference Finals, though they were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues in six games. Thornton put up four goals and six assists for 10 points in all 19 games during the playoffs.

Thornton signed a one-year, $2 million contract extension on September 6, 2019, to remain with the Sharks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/sharks-agree-to-terms-with-center-joe-thornton/c-308920288|title=Sharks Agree To Terms With Center Joe Thornton|date=September 6, 2019 |publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=September 6, 2019}}</ref> He recorded his 1,500th career point on February 4, 2020, in a 3–1 win over the [[Calgary Flames]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/san-jose-sharks-calgary-flames-game-recap/c-314631544|title=Thornton scores 1,500th point in Sharks win against Flames|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=February 4, 2020}}</ref> Thornton expressed dissatisfaction with not being traded to a playoff contending team after the February 24 trade deadline to give him the opportunity to chase the Stanley Cup, as had happened with longtime teammate Patrick Marleau.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sharks-joe-thornton-disappointed-not-traded-deadline/|title=Sharks' Joe Thornton disappointed at not being traded at deadline|work=Sportsnet|access-date=September 23, 2021|date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> The Sharks posted a disappointing record this season and did not make the playoffs for the first time since 2015 even with the playoff format being expanded and the regular season ending three weeks early due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in North America]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://media.nhl.com/public/news/13911 |title=National Hockey League Pauses 2019-20 Season |website=media.nhl.com |publisher=Media NHL |author=NHL Public Relations |date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=April 11, 2024}}</ref>

====Toronto Maple Leafs (2020–2021)====
With the [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21 season]] delayed due to the ongoing [[COVID-19 pandemic]], Thornton returned to HC Davos of the [[National League (ice hockey)|National League]] on October 15, 2020, for a third stint. Having held Swiss citizenship since 2019, he did not count against the [[National League (ice hockey)#Import players|import limit]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Die Legende ist zurück|url=https://www.hcd.ch/de/news/die-legende-ist-zurueck|publisher=hcd.ch|date=October 15, 2020}}</ref><ref name="HCD-2020">{{Cite news|last=Berger|first=Nicola|date=October 15, 2020|title=Die Ikone Joe Thornton kehrt nach Davos zurück - der NHL-Star kommt nicht los vom Eishockey und dem HCD|url=https://www.nzz.ch/sport/nhl-ikone-joe-thornton-kehrt-zum-hc-davos-zurueck-ld.1581828|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015134056/https://www.nzz.ch/sport/nhl-ikone-joe-thornton-kehrt-zum-hc-davos-zurueck-ld.1581828?reduced=true|archive-date=October 15, 2020|access-date=15 October 2020|website=[[Neue Zürcher Zeitung]]|language=de-CH|quote=...und erstmals mit Schweizer Pass.|trans-quote=...and for the first time with a Swiss passport.}}</ref>

On October 16, 2020, Thornton signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Maple Leafs Sign Joe Thornton|url=https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/joe-thornton-maple-leafs-contract-signing/c-319469914|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=October 16, 2020|date=October 16, 2020}}</ref> As his usual jersey number 19 was already in use on the team by [[Jason Spezza]], Thornton switched to wear number 97.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Joe Thornton's new number has never been worn by a Leafs player before - Article - Bardown | url=https://www.bardown.com/joe-thornton-s-new-number-has-never-been-worn-by-a-leafs-player-before-1.1540713 | access-date=2025-08-18 | website=www.bardown.com}}</ref> On December 14, 2020, Thornton left Davos to return to Toronto for the start of training camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swisshockeynews.ch/index.php/shn/13-international/north-america/nhl/21592-joe-thornton-has-been-recalled-by-the-toronto-maple-leafs|title=Joe Thornton has been recalled by the Toronto Maple Leafs|date=December 14, 2020 |publisher=swisshockeynews.ch|access-date=December 14, 2020}}</ref> On January 16, 2021, Thornton scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf. On January 22, 2021, Thornton suffered a fractured rib after getting hit by Edmonton Oilers forward [[Josh Archibald]]. Thornton returned to the lineup on February 27, recording 20 points (5 goals, 15 assists) in 44 games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/player/joe-thornton-8466138|title = Joe Thornton Stats and News}}</ref> Thornton scored one goal in the Maple Leafs' seven-game series loss to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] in the first round of the [[2021 Stanley Cup playoffs|2021 playoffs]].

====Florida Panthers (2021–2022)====
On August 13, 2021, Thornton returned for his 24th NHL season, signing a one-year, $750,000 contract with the [[Florida Panthers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/joe-thornton-signs-deal-with-florida/c-325963208?tid=281072352|title=Thornton signs one-year contract with Panthers, will play 24th NHL season|publisher=National Hockey League|access-date=August 13, 2021}}</ref> Thornton played 34 games and scored a career-low 10-points as the Panthers won the [[Presidents' Trophy]] as the regular season champions.

==== Retirement ====
Thornton went unsigned for the entirety of the [[2022–23 NHL season|2022–23 season]] and start of the [[2023–24 NHL season|2023–24 season]], however there was speculation he could return to the ice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peng |first=Sheng |date=2022-09-23 |title=Grier Doesn’t Close Door on Thornton Playing for Sharks |url=https://sanjosehockeynow.com/san-jose-sharks-joe-thornton-patrick-marleau-mike-grier-retirement/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=San Jose Hockey Now |language=en-US}}</ref> On October 28, 2023, 18 days into the 2023–24 season, Thornton officially announced his retirement via social media.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/boston-bruins-and-san-jose-sharks-legend-thornton-announces-retirement-from-nhl-1.2027813 |title=Bruins and Sharks legend Thornton announces retirement from NHL |website=TSN |date=October 28, 2023 |access-date=October 28, 2023}}</ref> 

At the time of his retirement, Thornton was 12th in league history in total points scored, seventh in assists, and sixth in games played.<ref>{{cite web |title=Long-time San Jose Shark Joe Thornton officially retires |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/long-time-san-jose-shark-joe-thornton-retires/ |website=Sportsnet |access-date=November 19, 2023 |date=October 28, 2023}}</ref> During his career he won the [[Hart Memorial Trophy|Hart Trophy]] (2005), the [[Art Ross Trophy|Art Ross]] (2005), a gold medal for [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|Team Canada]] (2010), appeared in six [[NHL All-Star Game|NHL All Star games]], and appeared in the [[Stanley Cup playoffs|NHL Playoffs]] 19 times.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kurz |first=Kevin |title=NHL99: Joe Thornton pushed teammates to the brink, but they loved him for it |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4002633/2022/12/31/nhl99-joe-thornton/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On January 17, 2024, the Sharks announced their plans to retire Thornton's no. 19 jersey during the 2024–25 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cotsonika |first1=Nicholas J. |title=Thornton to have No. 19 retired by Sharks next season |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/san-jose-sharks-to-retire-joe-thornton-number-19-next-season |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=January 18, 2024 |date=January 17, 2024}}</ref> The Sharks held a weekend-long celebration for Thornton's retirement. The festivities included a proclamation at [[San Jose City Hall]] declaring November 23 ''Joe Thornton Day'' in both San Jose, and his hometown of [[St. Thomas, Ontario|St. Thomas Ontario]], a Sharks legends game at [[Tech CU Arena]] with Thornton's former teammates, and a ceremony to officially retire his no. 19 Jersey prior to the start of a game against the [[Buffalo Sabres]] on November 23, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=Honoring a Sharks Legend: Can't-miss activities for Joe Thornton #19 Retirement Celebration {{!}} San Jose Sharks |url=https://www.nhl.com/sharks/news/honoring-a-sharks-legend-can-t-miss-activities-for-joe-thornton-19-retirement-celebration |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=www.nhl.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lale |first=Brent |date=2024-11-23 |title=St. Thomas, Ont. and San Jose, Calif. celebrate hockey legend on night his jersey is retired |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/london/article/st-thomas-ont-and-san-jose-calif-celebrate-hockey-legend-on-night-his-jersey-is-retired/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Max |date=2024-11-23 |title=Joe Thornton Is Officially A Forever Shark; No. 19 Retired By San Jose Sharks |url=https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/san-jose-sharks/latest-news/joe-thornton-is-officially-a-forever-shark-no-19-retired-by-san-jose-sharks |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=The Hockey News |language=en}}</ref>

On June 24, 2025, Thornton was voted to be inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] in his first year of eligibility.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Geagan |first=Matt |date=June 24, 2025 |title=Former Bruins top pick Joe Thornton elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/joe-thornton-hockey-hall-of-fame-bruins-sharks-nhl/ |access-date=June 24, 2025 |work=[[CBS]]}}</ref>

==International play==
{{MedalTableTop|name=no|Canada vs Germany goal celebration crop.jpg|200px|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)}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[ice hockey]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{CAN}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Ice hockey at the Winter Olympics|Winter Olympics]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2010 Winter Olympics|2010 Vancouver]]|[[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Ice Hockey World Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2005 Austria]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Cup of Hockey|Canada Cup / World Cup]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2004 World Cup of Hockey|2004 Toronto]]|}}
{{MedalGold|[[2016 World Cup of Hockey|2016 Toronto]]|}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|World Junior Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1997 Switzerland]]|}}
{{MedalBottom}}

Thornton was named to [[Canada men's national junior ice hockey team|Canada's national under-20 team]] for the [[1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1997 World Junior Championships]] in Switzerland. At 17 years old, he recorded four points in seven games, helping Canada to a [[gold medal]]. Two years later, he made his debut with the [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canadian men's team]] at the [[2001 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2001 World Championships]] in Germany. Thornton collected a goal and an assist over six games, as Canada was eliminated in the quarter-finals by the [[United States men's national ice hockey team|United States]].

Thornton's next international appearance occurred at the [[2004 World Cup of Hockey|2004 World Cup]]. Established by then as a premier player in the NHL, Thornton tied for third in tournament scoring with six points (a goal and five assists) over six games. He notched two assists in the championship game against [[Finland men's national ice hockey team|Finland]], helping Canada to a 3–2 win. At the [[2005 IIHF World Championship]] in Austria, Thornton led all scorers with 16 points (six goals and ten assists) in nine games and was named tournament MVP.<ref>{{cite web|title=Team Canada Captures Silver Medal at Men's World Championship|url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/2005-nr-070-en|website=hockeycanada.ca|access-date=April 29, 2018|date=May 15, 2005}}</ref> Canada advanced to the gold medal game, where they were shut-out 3–0 by goaltender [[Tomáš Vokoun]] of the [[Czech Republic men's national ice hockey team|Czech Republic]].

Thornton made his first appearance in the [[Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2006 Winter Olympics]]. He recorded three points as Canada was shut out in three of six games, losing to [[Russia men's national ice hockey team|Russia]] in the quarterfinals. Four years later, he was again chosen to Canada's Olympic team for the [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2010 Winter Games]] in [[Vancouver]]. Thornton was joined by his Sharks linemates Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau, as well as Sharks defenceman [[Dan Boyle (ice hockey)|Dan Boyle]], on the squad.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Burnside|first1=Scott|last2=LeBrun|first2=Pierre|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/olyhockey/news/story?id=4782031|title=Breaking down 2010 Canadian team|work=[[ESPN]]|date=December 30, 2009|access-date=April 29, 2013}}</ref> The offensive trio of Sharks played on the same line in the Olympics, as well. Thornton registered a goal and an assist over seven games, helping Canada to a gold medal finish.

Thornton was later invited to the Canada's hockey camp for the [[Ice hockey at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2014 Winter Olympics]], but did not attend due to his son being hospitalized with an illness.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pashelka|first=Curtis|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/sharks/ci_23948118/san-jose-sharks-joe-thornton-cancels-trip-canadian|title=San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton cancels trip to Canadian Olympic camp|newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]]|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=August 26, 2013}}</ref> He was named to the Canadian roster for the [[2016 World Cup of Hockey]] held in [[Toronto]].

Thornton was named Team Canada's co-general manager for the [[2023 Spengler Cup]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/spengler-management-named-2023-24-nmt | title=Management group unveiled for 2023 Spengler Cup }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Thornton is married to Tabea Pfendsack, whom he met while playing in Switzerland during the [[2004–05 NHL lockout]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks/2008/12/10/bachelor-days-ending-for-thornton-and-the-latest-update-on-shark-injuries/|title=Bachelor days ending for Thornton, and the latest update on Shark injuries|last=Pollak|first=David|date=December 12, 2008|work=Working The Corners}}</ref> The couple have a daughter<ref name="Mercury News August 2010">{{cite news |last1=Emmons |first1=Mark |title=Sharks' Joe Thornton looking to stay in San Jose |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/08/29/sharks-joe-thornton-looking-to-stay-in-san-jose/ |access-date=February 16, 2023 |newspaper=The Mercury News |date=August 29, 2010}}</ref> and a son.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thornton rehabs knee injury with help of 4-year-old son |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/san-jose-forward-joe-thornton-skates-with-son/c-297286608 |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=December 10, 2018 |date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> Born in [[St. Thomas, Ontario|St. Thomas]], [[Ontario]], Thornton became a naturalized American citizen in July 2009 at a ceremony in [[Campbell, California|Campbell]], [[California]], a suburb of [[San Jose, California|San Jose]];<ref name="Mercury News August 2010"/> he later also received a Swiss passport.<ref name="HCD-2020"/> Joe and former Sharks teammate [[Scott Thornton (ice hockey)|Scott Thornton]] are first cousins.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pyette|first1=Ryan|title=Sharks' Scott Thornton has cousin Joe along for the ride|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Columnists/Pyette/2005/12/10/1347270-sun.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113231139/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Columnists/Pyette/2005/12/10/1347270-sun.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2016|website=canoe.com|access-date=March 16, 2018|date=December 10, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Gackle|first1=Paul|title=Three things to know: Bruins goalie denies charges of wrongdoing in last game vs. Sharks|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/11/18/three-things-to-know-bruins-goalie-denies-charges-of-wrongdoing-in-last-game-vs-sharks/|access-date=March 24, 2018|newspaper=The Mercury News|date=November 18, 2017}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
[[The Tragically Hip]] lead vocalist [[Gord Downie]]'s song "You Me and the B's" (from his 2017 solo album ''[[Introduce Yerself]]'') includes a lament about Thornton's poorly-received trade from the Bruins to the Sharks in 2005.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Schlanger|first1=Talia|title=Gord Downie's Final Album Is A Gift|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2017/10/26/560188985/gord-downies-final-album-is-a-gift|newspaper=NPR|access-date=March 24, 2018|date=October 26, 2017}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
<!-- DO NOT UPDATE CURRENT SEASON STATS TILL END SEASON. THAT IS WIKIPEDIA STANDARD AS WIKIPEDIA IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN UP TO THE MINUTE STATS DATABASE. -->

===Regular season and playoffs===
<small>'''Bold''' indicates led league</small>
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! colspan="5"|[[Regular season]]
! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! colspan="5"|[[Playoffs]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP !! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]] !! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]] !! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]] !! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1993–94
| [[St. Thomas Stars]]
| [[Western Ontario Hockey League|WOHL]]
| 6 || 2 || 6 || 8 || 2
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1993–94
| Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs
| [[Ontario Minor Hockey Association|OMHA]]
| 67 || 83 || 85 || 168 || 45
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 1994–95
| St. Thomas Stars
| WOHL
| 50 || 40 || 64 || 104 || 53
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1995–96 OHL season|1995–96]]
| [[Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds]]
| [[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]]
| 66 || 30 || 46 || 76 || 53
| 4 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 11
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1996–97 OHL season|1996–97]]
| Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
| OHL
| 59 || 41 || 81 || 122 || 123
| 11 || 11 || 8 || 19 || 24
|-
| [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98]]
| [[Boston Bruins]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 55 || 3 || 4 || 7 || 19
| 6 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 9
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1998–99 NHL season|1998–99]]
| Boston Bruins
| NHL
| 81 || 16 || 25 || 41 || 69
| 11 || 3 || 6 || 9 || 4
|-
| [[1999–00 NHL season|1999–00]]
| Boston Bruins
| NHL
| 81 || 23 || 37 || 60 || 82
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2000–01 NHL season|2000–01]]
| Boston Bruins
| NHL
| 72 || 37 || 34 || 71 || 107
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[2001–02 NHL season|2001–02]]
| Boston Bruins
| NHL
| 66 || 22 || 46 || 68 || 127
| 6 || 2 || 4 || 6 || 10
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2002–03 NHL season|2002–03]]
| Boston Bruins
| NHL
| 77 || 36 || 65 || 101 || 109
| 5 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 4
|-
| [[2003–04 NHL season|2003–04]]
| Boston Bruins
| NHL
| 77 || 23 || 50 || 73 || 98
| 7 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 14
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2004–05 Nationalliga A season|2004–05]]
| [[HC Davos]]
| [[National League (ice hockey)|NLA]]
| 40 || 10 || 44 || 54 || 80
| 14 || 4 || 20 || 24 || 29
|-
| [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]]
| Boston Bruins
| NHL
| 23 || 9 || '''24''' || '''33''' || 6
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2005–06
| [[San Jose Sharks]]
| NHL
| 58 || 20 || '''72''' || '''92''' || 55
| 11 || 2 || 7 || 9 || 12
|-
| [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 82 || 22 || '''92''' || 114 || 44
| 11 || 1 || 10 || 11 || 10
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 82 || 29 || '''67''' || 96 || 59
| 13 || 2 || 8 || 10 || 2
|-
| [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 82 || 25 || 61 || 86 || 56
| 6 || 1 || 4 || 5 || 5
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 79 || 20 || 69 || 89 || 54
| 15 || 3 || 9 || 12 || 18
|-
| [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 80 || 21 || 49 || 70 || 47
| 18 || 3 || 14 || 17 || 16
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 82 || 18 || 59 || 77 || 31
| 5 || 2 || 3 || 5 || 2
|-
| [[2012–13 NLA season|2012–13]]
| HC Davos
| NLA
| 33 || 12 || 24 || 36 || 43
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 48 || 7 || 33 || 40 || 26
| 11 || 2 || 8 || 10 || 2
|-
| [[2013–14 NHL season|2013–14]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 82 || 11 || 65 || 76 || 32
| 7 || 2 || 1 || 3 || 8
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2014–15 NHL season|2014–15]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 78 || 16 || 49 || 65 || 30
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[2015–16 NHL season|2015–16]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 82 || 19 || 63 || 82 || 54
| 24 || 3 || 18 || 21 || 10
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2016–17 NHL season|2016–17]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 79 || 7 || 43 || 50 || 51
| 4 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 0
|-
| [[2017–18 NHL season|2017–18]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 47 || 13 || 23 || 36 || 38
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2018–19 NHL season|2018–19]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 73 || 16 || 35 || 51 || 20
| 19 || 4 || 6 || 10 || 6
|-
| [[2019–20 NHL season|2019–20]]
| San Jose Sharks
| NHL
| 70 || 7 || 24 || 31 || 34
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2020–21 NL season|2020–21]]
| HC Davos
| NL
| 12 || 5 || 6 || 11 || 4
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[2020–21 NHL season|2020–21]]
| [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
| NHL
| 44 || 5 || 15 || 20 || 14
| 7 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2021–22 NHL season|2021–22]]
| [[Florida Panthers]]
| NHL
| 34 || 5 || 5 || 10 || 10
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"| NHL totals
! 1,714 !! 430 !! 1,109 !! 1,539 !! 1,272
! 187 !! 32 !! 102 !! 134 !! 134
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"|NL totals
! 85 !! 27 !! 74 !! 101 !! 127 
! 14 !! 4 !! 20 !! 24 !! 29
|}

===International===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! rowspan="102" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|-
| [[1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|1997]]
| [[Canada men's national junior ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[IIHF World Junior Championship|WJC]]
| 7 || 2 || 2 || 4 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2001 IIHF World Championship|2001]]
| [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canada]]
| [[Ice Hockey World Championships|WC]]
| 6 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 6
|-
| [[2004 World Cup of Hockey|2004]]
| Canada
| [[World Cup of Hockey|WCH]]
| 6 || 1 || 5 || 6 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2005 IIHF World Championship|2005]]
| Canada
| WC
| 9 || 6 || 10 || 16 || 4
|-
| [[Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2006]]
| Canada
| [[Ice hockey at the Olympic Games|OLY]]
| 6 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament|2010]]
| Canada
| OLY
| 7 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0
|-
| [[2016 World Cup of Hockey|2016]]
| Canada
| [[World Cup of Hockey|WCH]]
| 6 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 2
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"| Junior totals
! 7 !! 2 !! 2 !! 4 !! 0
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"| Senior totals
! 40 !! 11 !! 20 !! 31 !! 12
|}

==Awards==
[[File:Joe Thornton - 2006 NHL Awards (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Thornton at the 2006 NHL Awards ceremony]]
;[[Major junior]]
* Named to the [[Ontario Hockey League|OHL]] All-Rookie Team in [[1995–96 OHL season|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 [[1996–97 OHL season|1997]].

;[[National Hockey League|NHL]]
* Played in the [[National Hockey League All-Star Game]] in [[2002 NHL All-Star Game|2002]], [[2003 NHL All-Star Game|2003]], [[2004 NHL All-Star Game|2004]], [[2007 NHL All-Star Game|2007]], [[2008 NHL All-Star Game|2008]] and [[2009 NHL All-Star Game|2009]] (captain).
* Won the [[Art Ross Trophy]] in [[2005–06 NHL season|2006]].
* Won the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] in 2006.
* Named to the [[NHL All-Star team|NHL first All-Star team]] in 2006.
* Named to the [[NHL All-Star team|NHL second All-Star team]] in [[2002–03 NHL season|2003]], [[2007–08 NHL season|2008]] and [[2015–16 NHL season|2016]].
* [[NHL 2K]] cover athlete - [[NHL 2K7|2007]]

;[[National League A|SUI]]
* Won the [[Spengler Cup]] with [[HC Davos]] in [[2004 Spengler Cup|2004]].
* Won the Swiss ice hockey championship with HC Davos in [[2004–05 Nationalliga A season|2005]].

==Records==
* Only player in NHL history to win the [[Art Ross Trophy]] and [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] while switching teams in his winning campaign – [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]].
* Highest point total recorded by a player while playing with two different teams in one season – 125 (2005–06)
* Most games played by the first overall selection in the NHL Entry draft, 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

==See also==
* [[Power forward (ice hockey)]]
* [[List of NHL players with 1,000 points]]
* [[List of NHL career assists leaders]]
* [[List of NHL players with 1,000 games played]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Ice hockey stats}}
* {{YouTube|qWohKJmSG5E|NHL promo featuring Joe Thornton}}
* {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523032636/http://origin.nbcolympics.com/athletes/athlete=2603/bio/index.html |date=May 23, 2015 |title=NBC Olympics bio}}
* {{Team Canada}}
* {{Olympics.com|org_archive=20210410225729}}
* {{Olympedia}}

{{Navboxes |list1=
{{s-start}}
{{succession box | before = [[Chris Phillips]] | title = [[List of first overall NHL draft picks|NHL first overall draft pick]] | years = [[1997 NHL Entry Draft|1997]] | after = [[Vincent Lecavalier]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Johnathan Aitken]] | title = [[List of Boston Bruins draft picks|Boston Bruins first round draft pick]] | years = [[1997 NHL Entry Draft|1997]] | after = [[Sergei Samsonov]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Jason Allison]] | title = [[Boston Bruins#Team captains|Boston Bruins captain]] | years = [[2002–03 NHL season|2002]]–[[2005–06 NHL season|2005]] | after = [[Zdeno Chára]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Rob Blake]] | title = [[San Jose Sharks#Team captains|San Jose Sharks captain]] | years = [[2010–11 NHL season|2010]]–[[2013–14 NHL season|2014]] | after = [[Joe Pavelski]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Martin St. Louis]] | title = Winner of the [[Art Ross Trophy]] | years = [[2005–06 NHL season|2006]] | after = [[Sidney Crosby]]}}
{{succession box | before = [[Martin St. Louis]] | title = Winner of the [[Hart Memorial Trophy]] | years = [[2005–06 NHL season|2006]] | after = [[Sidney Crosby]]}}
{{s-end}}
}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thornton, Joe}}
[[Category:1979 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Art Ross Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Boston Bruins captains]]
[[Category:Boston Bruins draft picks]]
[[Category:Boston Bruins players]]
[[Category:Canadian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States]]
[[Category:Canadian ice hockey centres]]
[[Category:Florida Panthers players]]
[[Category:Hart Memorial Trophy winners]]
[[Category:HC Davos players]]
[[Category:Ice hockey players at the 2006 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Ice hockey players at the 2010 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2010 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:National Hockey League All-Stars]]
[[Category:First overall NHL draft picks]]
[[Category:NHL first-round draft picks]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Canada]]
[[Category:Olympic ice hockey players for Canada]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in ice hockey]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from St. Thomas, Ontario]]
[[Category:San Jose Sharks players]]
[[Category:Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds players]]
[[Category:Ice hockey people from London, Ontario]]
[[Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players]]