Joe Thorton (middle) stands adjacent to Mayor Matt Mahan (right) in celebration of Thorton.
Joe Thornton, a San José Sharks legend, was honored by the City of San José in a ceremony at the City Hall Rotunda for his contribution to the team and his community on Thursday.
Thornton started his career in Canada at Sault Ste. Marie began in the Ontario Hockey League and was recruited by the Boston Bruins where he played for eight seasons.
In November 2005, Thornton was traded to the San José Sharks and began his illustrious career as a center for the team racking up national awards and helping Canada win a gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, according to his player bio on the National Hockey League website.
“I never thought I’d live in California. It was just, honestly, it was a dream growing up. I loved the Beach Boys too,” Thornton said. “I was shocked about, you know, California dreaming. I think at a young age, I was just in love with California, and here I am right now.”
Thornton talked about various topics, including what it is like to be in the rafters with Patrick Marleau, the importance of his family and friends, and why San José is home to him.
“I persuaded the family to come back because I love it so much, I always had a good idea we could come back,” Thornton said. “But I don’t know if I’d ask my wife or my kids that. I think I always knew I was going to come back. I love the people, I love the area so much.”
Thornton is the second player to have his number retired in the Sharks’ franchise, 19 years later, according to the Mercury News.
“(If) you asked my dad my first year, I didn’t think I was going to survive my first year, (or) even my second year,” Thornton said when asked about retiring at the age of 30. “I had that plan, you know, as long as I did I hope. With the support of the love of family, that’s what got me through it.”
Lacey Imes, a long-time fan of Joe Thornton and the San José Sharks since 2008, said that Thornton sparked their interest in hockey as a sport and talked about how they view the future of the San José Sharks.
“I didn’t know anything about hockey and I just started learning as it was a very fun sport. I got my whole family involved in hockey and they all have favorite players,” said Imes. “I think when I was looking for somebody to cheer for, I think Joe’s performance really stood out to me as just dynamic and exciting.”
In the 2005-06 season he was an immediate success, and received the Art Ross Trophy—an award in honor of Arthur Howey Ross, former manager-coach of the Boston Bruins—when he had 125 points (29 goals, 96 assists), the first player to win the award after being traded during the season, according to an NHL web page.
“I’m looking forward to seeing where the team goes from here and how it defines itself. With so many of the icons of this last decade or so moving on into other ventures and it’s just exciting to see who’s gonna stand out as the new icon,” said Imes
Thornton was the 100th player to play in 1,200 NHL games against the Winnipeg Jets on March 27 2014, and the 46th player to earn 1,200 points against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 18, 2014, according to the same NHL web page.
San José Mayor Matt Mahan detailed Thornton’s contributions to the community through his philanthropic efforts through the Sharks Foundation and coaching youth hockey in the Shooter Sharks Youth program.
“Great cities deserve great sports teams. And great sports teams have iconic leaders like Jumbo Joe Thornton, who inspire communities to come together and inspire the next generation to love the game,” Mahan said.
Jonathan Becher, president of the San José Sharks, said that he has “never met anyone that loved the game of hockey more,” and Thornton’s energy was infectious on and off the ice.
After the San José City Council, city council elect members and Mayor Matt Mahan took photos with Joe Thornton, Charanbir Mahal from INDTVUSA introduced a portrait of Joe Thornton.
The piece was illustrated by Komal Bijor, who is a local fine artist from the Indian community and a graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
Bijor said she graduated last year and has been still trying to find her footing but Mahal discovered her work and presented her with the opportunity to paint a portrait of Thornton.
“I have never painted a sports player before, but you know what? Being an artist is all about challenging your boundaries. If you’re comfortable, that means you’re not really doing something right,” said Bijor.
Nov. 23 is declared as “Joe Thornton Day” by the City of San José which will serve as a celebration of Thornton’s legacy in the city and beyond.
“The Joe Thorton flag will be flying here at City Hall, and all of San Jose is lighting up in your honor. San Jose Civic Auditorium, Winchester Mystery House, San Jose Mineta International Airport, Adobe’s Global HQ, San Pedro Square, The Tech Interactive, and the list goes on,” said Mahan.