Current:Home > MyJoe Thornton officially retires from the NHL after 24-year career-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Joe Thornton officially retires from the NHL after 24-year career
View Date:2024-12-24 09:12:09
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Joe Thornton has officially announced his retirement from the NHL following a 24-year career as one of the game's top playmakers.
The 44-year-old Thornton hadn't played since the 2021-22 season with the Florida Panthers but hadn't made an official declaration about his plans until releasing a video on Saturday through the San Jose Sharks.
“Judging how many people keep asking me, I guess I have to tell you, I’m officially retiring from the NHL,” Thornton said. “I thought you guys would figure it out sooner, but you kept asking so here I am retiring. I have so much love for the game of hockey and for countless number of people that helped this kid's dream become a reality. If you’re looking for me, you know where to find me. I’ll be at the rink.”
Thornton entered the NHL as the No. 1 overall pick by Boston in 1997, had his greatest success in 15 seasons with San Jose following a trade to the Sharks, and then finished his career by playing one season in Toronto and Florida.
He played 1,714 regular season games, recording 1,109 assists and 430 goals. He was a four-time All-Star, an Olympic gold medalist for Canada in 2010 and won the Hart Trophy as MVP and Art Ross Trophy as scoring leader in 2005-06 after getting traded early that season from Boston to San Jose.
Thornton ranks seventh all-time in assists, 12th in points with 1,539 and sixth in games played.
About the only thing Thornton didn't accomplish was winning a Stanley Cup, losing in his only trip to the final round in 2016 with the Sharks against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
WATCH: Joe Thornton loses part of his beard in fight | Thornton shaves off bushy beard | Thornton knocks down goalie with one punch
But with his pristine playmaking schools and iconic beard, Thornton became the face of the Sharks franchise after being acquired from Boston on Nov. 30, 2005.
San Jose had only intermittent success before his arrival but made the playoffs all but two seasons during Thornton's time with the Sharks. He helped the team win the Presidents' Trophy as the team with the best record in 2008-09, make back-to-back conference finals appearances in 2010 and '11, the Stanley Cup final in 2016 and another trip to the Western Conference final in 2019.
His No. 19 will one day be raised to the rafters at the Shark Tank next to his old running mate Patrick Marleau's No. 12 that was retired earlier this year.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Armie Hammer Says His Mom Gifted Him a Vasectomy for His 38th Birthday
- Micellar Water You’ll Dump Makeup Remover Wipes For From Bioderma, Garnier & More
- Selena Gomez Confirms Her Relationship Status With One Single TikTok
- Logging Plan on Yellowstone’s Border Shows Limits of Biden Greenhouse Gas Policy
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
- U.S. cruises to 3-0 win over Vietnam in its Women's World Cup opener
- New Mexico State Soccer Player Thalia Chaverria Found Dead at 20
- Shakira Steps Out for Slam Dunk Dinner With NBA Star Jimmy Butler
- Karol G addresses backlash to '+57' lyric: 'I still have a lot to learn'
- Ukrainian soldiers play soccer just miles from the front line as grueling counteroffensive continues
Ranking
- Rita Ora pays tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Europe Music Awards: 'He brought so much joy'
- Ukrainian soldiers play soccer just miles from the front line as grueling counteroffensive continues
- Two Volcanologists on the Edge of the Abyss, Searching for the Secrets of the Earth
- UN Water Conference Highlights a Stubborn Shortage of Global Action
- Why Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams May Be Rejoining the George R.R. Martin Universe
- A Proposed Utah Railway Could Quadruple Oil Production in the Uinta Basin, if Colorado Communities Don’t Derail the Project
- These 14 Prime Day Teeth Whitening Deals Will Make You Smile Nonstop
- Get 4 Pairs of Sweat-Wicking Leggings With 14,100+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews for $39 During Prime Day 2023
Recommendation
-
When is 'The Golden Bachelorette' finale? Date, time, where to watch Joan Vassos' big decision
-
Kourtney Kardashian Proves Pregnant Life Is Fantastic in Barbie Pink Bump-Baring Look
-
Legislative Proposal in Colorado Aims to Tackle Urban Sprawl, a Housing Shortage and Climate Change All at Once
-
Hey Now, Hilary Duff’s 2 Daughters Are All Grown Up in Sweet Twinning Photo
-
Too Hot to Handle’s Francesca Farago Gives Birth, Welcomes Twins With Jesse Sullivan
-
Biden administration unveils new U.S. Cyber Trust Mark consumer label for smart home devices
-
Gov. Moore Commits Funding for 67 Hires in Maryland’s Embattled Environment Department, Hoping to Fix Wastewater Treatment Woes
-
The Surprising History of Climate Change Coverage in College Textbooks