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 2025
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.
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Joe Thornton Biography Details
Born
July 2, 1979 (age 45)
St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
Height
6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight
219 lb (99 kg; 15 st 9 lb)
Position
Centre
Shot
Left
Played for
Boston Bruins
HC Davos
San Jose Sharks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Florida Panthers
National team
Canada
NHL draft
1st overall, 1997
Boston Bruins
Playing career
1997–2022
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, 2025-2025 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, 2025
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 2025, Thornton’s legacy in the NHL and international hockey is secure.
