Joseph Eric Thornton born July 2, 1979 is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre. Over his career, he played for several National Hockey League (NHL) teams, including the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. Thornton was selected first overall by the Bruins in the 1997 NHL Draft, where he spent seven seasons, including three as the team’s captain. In the 2005–06 season, he was traded to the San Jose Sharks, where he earned both the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top point scorer and the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s most valuable player, making history as the only player to win either award while playing for multiple teams in the same season.
Joe Thornton Biography 2024
Thornton would go on to play an additional 14 seasons with the Sharks, including leading the team to the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals. He was the last active NHL player and the final player from the major North American sports leagues who had played in the 1990s. Thornton was known for his exceptional on-ice vision, puck control, passing ability, and power-forward style, which made him one of the NHL’s top centres and playmakers. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest passers in hockey history and is one of only 14 players to record 1,000 assists in the NHL. His nickname “Jumbo Joe” stems from both his large physical stature and the famous elephant, Jumbo, who died in St. Thomas, Ontario, Thornton’s hometown.
Joe Thornton Biography Details
| Born | July 2, 1979 (age 45)
St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
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| Weight | 219 lb (99 kg; 15 st 9 lb) |
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| Position | Centre |
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| Shot | Left |
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| Played for | Boston Bruins
HC Davos
San Jose Sharks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Florida Panthers |
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| National team | Canada |
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| NHL draft | 1st overall, 1997
Boston Bruins |
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| Playing career | 1997–2022 |
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Joe Thornton Early Life
Joseph Eric Thornton is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre, born on July 2, 1979, in London, Canada. Over the course of his career, he played for the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Thornton began his career in 1997 and played until his retirement on October 28, 2023. He was widely known for his playmaking ability, and his number 19 was worn with the San Jose Sharks for much of his career. Thornton was married to Tabea Pfendsack in 2009. Throughout his career, he played alongside notable teammates such as Patrick Marleau, Sidney Crosby, and Jarome Iginla.
Joe Thornton NHL Draft Details
Category | Years |
NHL Draft | 1st overall pick, 1997 |
Drafted By | Boston Bruins |
First NHL Goal | December 3, 1997, vs. Philadelphia Flyers |
Rookie Season Stats | 55 games, 3 goals, 7 points |
Boston Bruins Career Overview
Category | Details |
Years with Bruins | 1997-2005 |
Captaincy | Served as captain from 2002-2005 |
Highest Points Season | 2002-03, 36 goals, 65 assists, 101 points |
Key Injury | Fractured right cheekbone, January 19, 2004 |
Impact on San Jose Sharks
Category | Years |
Years with Sharks | 2005–2020 |
Art Ross Trophy | 2006, league’s top scorer |
Hart Memorial Trophy | 2006, NHL MVP |
Stanley Cup Finals Appearance | 2016, lost in 7 games to Pittsburgh Penguins |
Joe Thornton Toronto Maple Leafs Tenure
Category | Details |
Year Signed | 2020-21 |
Contract Value | $700,000 for one year |
Total Games Played | 44 games |
Key Injuries | Fractured rib in January 2021 |
Florida Panthers and Final NHL Season
Category | Years |
Year Signed | 2021-22 |
Contract Value | $750,000 for one year |
Final NHL Games | 34 games |
Points Scored | 10 points, career-low |
Joe Thornton International Career Highlights
Tournament | Points |
2010 Winter Olympics | Gold Medal, Canada |
2004 World Cup of Hockey | Gold Medal, Canada |
1997 World Junior Championship | Gold Medal, Canada |
2005 World Championship | Silver Medal, Canada |
Joe Thornton Personal Life
Category | Details |
Spouse | Tabea Pfendsack |
Children | Daughter and son |
Citizenship | Canadian, American, Swiss |
Family Connection | Cousin to former teammate Scott Thornton |
Career Achievements
Category | Facts |
Career Points | 1,539 points |
Career Assists | 1,104 assists |
Career Games Played | 1,680 games |
Stanley Cup Appearances | 1 (2016, lost to Pittsburgh Penguins) |
Joe Thornton Legacy and Post-Retirement
Category | Details |
Jersey Retirement | San Jose Sharks, No. 19, 2024-2025 season |
Hall of Fame Induction | Possible future induction |
Influence on Teammates | Known for mentorship and leadership |
Joe Thornton Nickname
Category | Points |
Nickname | “Jumbo Joe” |
Origin of Nickname | Due to his size and St. Thomas elephant |
International Team Contributions
Event | Details |
2005 World Championship | Led the tournament in points, MVP |
2004 Canada Cup | 3 assists in the final, gold medal win |
2016 World Cup of Hockey | Played pivotal role in Team Canada’s gold |
Joe Thornton Final NHL Season Overview
Category | Years |
Final Game Played | October 2023 |
Total Career Points | 1,539 |
Games Played | 1,680 |
Last Team | Florida Panthers |
Joe Thornton Statistical Highlights
Category | Details |
Assists (All-time) | 7th all-time in assists in NHL history |
Points (All-time) | 12th all-time in NHL points |
Games Played (All-time) | 6th all-time in NHL games played |
Joe Thornton Role in the 2010 Olympics
Category | Facts |
Medal | Gold |
Team | Canada |
Role in Team | Key player, alongside Marleau and Heatley |
Tournament Points | 1 goal, 1 assist |
Joe Thornton Legacy in the NHL
Category | Details |
Career Highlight | One of the best playmakers in NHL history |
End of Career Legacy | Last 1990s player to retire in the Big 4 North American Sports |
Joe Thornton Retirement and Legacy
Category | Years |
Retirement Announcement | October 28, 2023 |
Final Playing Year | 2022-2023 |
Jersey Retirement Date | November 23, 2024 |
Joe Thornton Personal Development and Citizenship
Category | Dates |
Swiss Citizenship | Acquired in 2019 |
American Citizenship | Acquired in 2009 |
Joe Thornton Family Life
Category | Facts |
Spouse | Tabea Pfendsack |
Children | Daughter and son |
Family Connection | Cousin to Scott Thornton |
Joe Thornton Leadership Style
Category | Details |
Leadership Role | Captain of Bruins (2002-2005) and Sharks (2009-2014) |
Leadership Traits | Mentorship, consistency, playmaking |
Joe Thornton Net Worth
Joe Thornton’s net worth is estimated at $60 million.
Joe Thornton Summary
Joe Thornton career is celebrated for his exceptional passing, leadership, and contributions to every team he played for. Over 24 seasons in the NHL, his vision and playmaking ability earned him widespread recognition as one of the best centres of his generation. His international success, highlighted by multiple gold medals with Team Canada, and his longevity in the league, cemented his place in hockey history. With the retirement of his number 19 jersey by the San Jose Sharks in 2024, Thornton’s legacy in the NHL and international hockey is secure.
