Joe Thornton was one of the best playmakers of his generation. He was also arguably among the most entertaining NHL superstars for well over a decade — both on and off the ice. And on Saturday, he watched as his No. 19 was raised to the rafters by the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in an epic ceremony.
Among his career accolades, Thornton is the only player to win the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Trophy in the same season he played for two teams. Fifteen of his 24 seasons were spent with the Sharks following a late November trade in 2005 from the Boston Bruins — the season he accomplished the feat. Perhaps the only blemish on his career is the lack of a Stanley Cup championship. But the future Hall of Famer inspired an entire generation and paved the way for many. He’s truly one of one, and the stories shared during his retirement ceremony are worth watching.
There’s also this — another highlight from the night
Peyton Krebs, #19 on the Sabres, scored and pointed up to the new Joe Thornton #19 banner 🔥 pic.twitter.com/v2DcKwBkRx
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 24, 2024
All the latest from San Jose Hockey Now — the best coverage on all things Joe Thornton.
Who is Joe Thornton? Sharks Legends Describe Jumbo (+)
Warsofsky on how Thornton Impacts Sharks Today
Joe Pavelski Returns to San Jose to Celebrate Joe Thornton
Zetterlund Pays Tribute to Joe Thornton with Beard Celly
Sharks Can’t Carry Good Vibes From Thornton Retirement, Lose to Buffalo
Colorado Hockey Now
The Avalanche erased two deficits on their way to a 7-4 victory over the reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Three Colorado skaters broke through with their first goals of the season. Jonathan Drouin, who dressed on opening night before missing 16 games with an injury, scored twice. In recent games, he’s been lining up with Nathan MacKinnon and Artturi Lehkonen on Jared Bednar’s top line.
In his fourth game since returning from a six-month suspension, Valeri Nichushkin finally found the scoresheet. He had two assists before adding an empty-net goal for his first of the season. And defenseman Oliver Kylington, often a healthy scratch, added a goal and an assist for his first two points in an Avalanche sweater in his seventh appearance this season.
Colorado put six goals past Sergei Bobrovsky without a point from Nathan MacKinnon, who leads the NHL in points. Albeit fellow star Mikko Rantanen had a goal and three assists. It’s a sign that the Avs, using their strong depth, are finally playing at the level expected from them after getting healthy.
MacKinnon ended up with the primary assist on Nichushkin’s empty netter.
Colleen Flynn covered the Good & Bad following the win, which further touches on the variety of goal scorers on Saturday.
Around The NHL
Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks blew a multi-goal lead to the Philadelphia Flyers in Saturday’s matinee affair. Is Connor Bedard experiencing the dreaded sophomore slump?
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The legend of Sidney Crosby grows, as he became just the second active player behind Alex Ovechkin to reach a huge goal-scoring milestone.
Philly Hockey Now: The first NHL battle between Matvei Michkov and Bedard was one for the ages. Bedard’s side blew the late lead, but Michkov, who hasn’t forgotten his last loss to Bedard nearly four years ago, got revenge on Saturday.