Joe Thornton

Joe Thornton is a Canadian center on the San Jose Sharks.

Thornton was originally drafted by the Boston Bruins, with the 1st overall pick of the ’97 Draft. He joined the Bruins that season, and developed into one of the top players on the team. He scored 101 points for the Bruins in 2002-03, before spending a year with HC Davos during the lockout. In 2005, Thornton was traded to San Jose, where he turned into one of the top playmakers in the NHL. His first season there, he led the NHL in points, winning the Art Ross Trophy for scoring and the Hart Trophy as league MVP. His linemate, Jonathan Cheechoo, won the Rocket Richard Trophy with 56 goals. Thornton, one of the Sharks’ alternate captains, was named the captain of the Western Conference All Star Team in 2009, for his 6th All Star Game appearance.

Thornton has played for Team Canada5 times, winning 2 gold medals, at the ’97 World Juniors and 2004 World Cup, as well as a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships.