Joe Thornton received a jumbo welcome back to San Jose.
The San Jose Sharks honored the veteran forward with a video tribute before a 3-2 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers at SAP Center on Tuesday. Thornton returned to SAP Center for the first time as a visitor since leaving the Sharks. "I can't say enough about him," Sharks defenseman Brent Burns said. "I think he's an incredible human. Obviously, an incredible hockey player, but I think it's the off-ice stuff that ... he's just special. I think he's one of a kind. He's an incredible, incredible guy ... The reception that he got and the video, it was great. You could ask Steven Spielberg to do a 2 1/2 movie with him and nobody would have got bored."
Thornton signed a one-year contract with the Panthers on Aug. 13. He played 15 seasons for San Jose, ranks third in games played (1,104) and holds team records in assists (804), playoff assists (90), and power-play points (402). He signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 16, 2020. After the video, fans gave Thornton a standing ovation when he saluted and blew a kiss.
"It was very cool," Sharks coach Bob Boughner said. "It was nice to see. The Sharks did a good job with the tribute. And to see Jumbo out there with a big smile on his face and the fans having a good time, it was special." Before the game, Thornton caught up with former teammates Timo Meier and Logan Couture, and during warmups made a pit stop at the San Jose bench to greet the Sharks staff.
."I saw so many guys yesterday, the trainers. You play somewhere for 15 years, they become family. ... It was great to see everyone." NHL.com independent correspondent Chelena Goldman contributed to this report
