SAN JOSE – A day before Joe Thornton has his No. 19 retired by the San Jose Sharks, a host of the team’s alumni, including former captain Joe Pavelski, are expected to take part in the team’s Legends Game at Tech CU Arena in San Jose on Nov. 22.
The game honors Thornton, who played 15 years for the Sharks from 2005 to 2020 and finished his decorated 24-year NHL career with 1,539 points, 14th-most all-time.
Pavelski, who announced his retirement in July after 18 NHL seasons, was Thornton’s teammate with the Sharks from 2006 to 2019. Thornton was the Sharks captain from 2010 to 2014, and Pavelski wore the ‘C’ from 2015 to 2019.
The Sharks listed nearly 40 players who expected to participate in the Legends Game, including Los Angeles Kings general manager and former Sharks captain Rob Blake.
Other expected participants include Brian Boucher, Dan Boyle, Jonathan Cheechoo, Ryane Clowe, Scott Hannan, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau, Douglas Murray, Evgeni Nabokov, Mike Ricci, John Scott, Devin Setoguchi, Alex Stalock, Scott Thornton, Raffi Torres, and Tommy Wingels.
Much like the Legends Game held for Marleau in Feb. 2023 before his number retirement ceremony, Thornton’s game at 4,200-seat Tech CU Arena is expected to sell out.
The Sharks said premium season ticket holders will receive information on accessing an exclusive ticket pre-sale window beginning on Sept. 25 at 9 a.m. Tickets for the general public will be available at 9 a.m. on Sept. 27 at Ticketmaster.com.
Thornton’s No. 19 retirement ceremony will be on Nov. 23 before the Sharks play the Buffalo Sabres.
All-time in Sharks history, Thornton ranks first in assists (804), points per game (0.96), power-play points (402), and plus-minus (+161). He is second all-time in points (1,055) and even strength points (645), third in games played (1,104), and fourth in goals (251).
Nicknamed “Jumbo,” Thornton, drafted No. 1 overall by the Boston Bruins in 1997, played in 1,714 games over an NHL career that lasted until the end of the 2021-2022 season.
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In a Hockey Hall of Fame-worthy resume, Thornton is sixth all-time in games played and seventh in assists (1,109). Thornton also played in 187 postseason games with 145 playoff points. Thornton, who played his last game in 2022, is available for induction next year.
Thornton captured the Hart Trophy as MVP and Art Ross Trophy as scoring leader in 2005-06 after he was traded early that season from Boston to San Jose. The trade changed the direction of the Sharks’ franchise, leading to playoff appearances in 13 of the following 14 years and numerous sellout crowds at their 17,000-seat downtown arena.