It's no question that Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton have each put their stamp on the San Jose Sharks organization during their incredible careers. Their recent major milestones are a friendly reminder that since the two arrived in teal, they have helped change the landscape of hockey in both California and the NHL.
Looking back to when the duo was drafted back-to-back at first and second overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, neither Marleau nor Thornton envisioned they'd be playing for the same team for the better half of their careers. And they certainly did not anticipate reaching important milestones at nearly the same time in the same season, as Marleau netted his 500th goal on February 2 and Thornton notched his 1,000th assist on March 6.
"Back in '97, I don't think we both could fathom him doing this," Thornton said of Marleau's 500-goal accomplishment.
Yet when the Sharks made their epic blockbuster trade to acquire Thornton from the Boston Bruins on November 30, 2005, the two began their run in Sharks history together and have never looked back.
Sharks Duo Has Made a Lasting Impact
Despite Different Paths, Marleau and Thornton Have Put Their Stamp on San Jose and the Sharks