Joe Thornton’s Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Speech

Joe Thornton’s Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Speech

[Music] This has been really, really good. Like really good. Congratulations to all my fellow inductees. It’s truly been an honor to be included with this incredible class. and I’ve really enjoyed listening to all you guys. Thank you. The last time I was here in the hall here in the hockey hall of fame, I was attending the wedding of a teammate Brent Burns’s parents, Rob and Gabby. Little did we know, and I don’t think Bernie ever knew until he actually got married, that his parents were never married. So, we fly into Toronto one day and he said, “Hey boys, let’s go watch my parents get married.” And let me tell you, we rocked so hard that night. I didn’t think I’d be invited back. But here I am. And this time, I stay forever. [Applause] As long as I could remember, my year consisted of going right from road hockey right to the backyard rank. So there was only one season for me. It was hockey season. I was Gordy How. I was Bobby or I was the great one. I was Johnny Bower. I was the magnificent one. I wanted to be Pat Lafontine, Cam Neely, Eric Lendros, Stevie Eisman, and so many more. So I want to thank to all those greats for setting the bar and creating a dream inside of me. That dream was that dream was made on Crescent A in a 12,200 square foot house that my mom and dad built and they still live today. When and Mary, my parents, you are the beginning, the middle, and the end of my story. In that house, you raised us on Don Cher’s rockham hockey videos, knee hockey in the basement, and you provided so much for my older brothers, John and Alex. At a young age, I instantly fell in the game with fell in love with the game of hockey. It taught me the importance of brotherhood. It taught me the importance of friendship. Once I started playing minor hockey in St. Thomas, there was a huge co or there was a coach that made a huge influence in my life and his name was Brian Muscat. Thank you, Musky. And for the record, you enhanced my my vocabulary because I learned a lot more four-letter words from you. So, thank you, Rick Smith. You allowed me to join the South by Socks, our summer team, and you made an you made me realize how good I could become. These early memories are the big reason why hockey became my life’s passion. You made it fun. For that, I thank you. I was lucky enough to play Junior B in my hometown of St. Thomas for the Stars, and it was a huge deal for me. I remember the old Memorial Garden packed with fans. And fast forward to today, I go there with my son and I get to skate with his buddies at an arena called the Joe Thornton Community Center. Locals just call the Joe and River. It’s pretty darn cool. And from there, I go off to arguably one of the best OHL teams, the Sous St. Marie Greyhounds. I played there for two years, and I want to thank Dave Mayville, Dr. Shinook. My team my my time there helped me get drafted first overall to the Boston Bruins. And wow, that was another dream come true. My first couple of seasons in Boston were quite difficult. It was a hard transition from the OHL to the NHL for me. But midway through my second year, I kind of found my footing. I remember how strong the Bruins al alumni was and how I was instantly accepted by them. Bobby or Wayne Cashman, Jerry Chvers, Ken Hodgej, Derek Sanderson, and Tommy Johnson. Everyone was just so kind to me. They golf with me, had lunch with me, taught me how to be a man. Wayne Cashman, we still talk weekly. and it’s always the highlight of my week. I love you. But there was no one bigger than during my time with the Bruins than Johnny Buick. As a young kid, 18 years old, the chief really took me under his wing and he helped me through my first few years. Chief, you taught me how to give back to the game that I love. and to all my teammates I had in the seven plus years in the Bruins. Glenn Murray, Nick Boon, Andrew Raycraft, Jason Ellison, Donnie Sweeney, Dave, so many more. You made my years in Boston memorable. Thanks for being great teammates. The Bruins thought it was a good idea that I stay with the family for the first year. It went so well actually to stay there for three. To the Hines family, I love you. to the piece to and to the people of Boston. You were so good to me. Thank you. We had a work stoppage in 2004, but I couldn’t stay away from the game. So, I headed over to Davos, Switzerland. I went over there with the 20-year-old Rick Nash, and we instantly hit off. We fell in love with the city of Davos, fell in love with the mountains. and we had the time of our lives. We are introduced to maybe the most passionate hockey man that we ever met, Arnold Dokerto. Arno, thank you for showing us the love, passion, and commitment that you have for the game of hockey. In 2005, I was at dinner with my parents and my girlfriend when I got a phone call and I was told I was traded to San Jose. It was a hard few hours, but then it hit me. I’m 26. I’m in the prime of my career. So, let’s go out west and let’s go. I played two nights later and our head coach Ronnie Wilson, one of the best said, “Joe, just go hunt.” My cousin Scott is my new left winger and a guy named Jonath Jonathan Chichu was on my right side. Jonathan had just an incredible year. So, thanks Jonathan and Scott for making them memorable. Everything just clicked and it was easy to go to the rink. I felt dominant. Doug Wilson, you were our GM. Doug, thank you for turning San Jose into a destination for players to come and play. We never won the ultimate trophy, but going to the Stanley Cup final in 16 has to be the biggest highlight. Although beating Vegas in game seven in 2019 was pretty cool, too. Peter Dbor, Steve Spa, you know how much you mean to all the boys and we love playing for you. I love you both. 15 years of playing with the Sharks. There are so many great teammates. Hall of Famers Rob Blake, Jeremy Ronic, Patrick Marlo, Logan Couture, Brent Burns, Joe Pavvelski, Mike Greer, Ryan Clo, Douglas Murray, Michael Heling, there’s so many more. My teammates weren’t just on the ice though. There were so many people and staff. I have to thank Rosemary Tubaldi, Tom Holley, Ryan Stan, Mikey Aldrich, Big Roy, Vinnie Razer, Wes Howard, Scotty Emirate, Charlie Townsen, and so many more. Hockey teams are made up of so many people who don’t who do a lot of work that go under the radar. So, thank you all. And finally, Hoso Platner, thank you for sharing your love of hockey with the Bay Area. Being a Being a Shark is something I’m extreme extremely proud of and I sure have been enjoying watching the team play this year. Mlin, I can’t wait to continue Roomie Cube with you. I’ll be coming in hot. From there, I spent one season in Toronto and one in Florida. Love both stops in Toronto. Such a great room. Austin, Mitchie, Willie, Freddy, Sy, Bogo, Haimey. Thanks for keeping me young and loving on my family so much. Thanks Bill Zto for bringing me down to Florida. Barky, Huie, Rhino, Benny, Ekki, Dookie, Monty, Mason, and the Butcher. You guys are truly special. Hockey Canada, it was always an honor to put on the Maple Leaf and wear the red and white. I did it proudly. Winning the gold medal in Vancouver in 2010 was truly electric. I remember leaving the arena and I looked to my left and I saw a naked woman in the back of a motorcycle waving a Canadian flag. I looked to my pregnant wife and I said, “I am so proud to be Canadian.” Hey, Dunks. And for that, thanks Iggy and Sid. to all my coaches, Pat Quinn, Pat Burns, Mike Keenan, Robbie FTOR, Mike Sullivan, Ronnie Wilson, Todd Mlen, Peter Babcock, Peter Dbor, Bob Buggner, Sheldon Keith, Joel Quinnville, Andrew Bernett, you all challenged me in different ways and helped me elevate my game. Lastly, when Gary Bman came out to San Jose a few years ago, I told him that he cost me $7 million because he shut down the league that year. I also told him I’m not going to give him a left hook because going to Switzerland changed my life forever. It was there I met my wife, Taba. Thanks for rolling with me, T. I enjoy every day. I laugh, I smile, I think, I cry. All because of you. You’re my best friend and a great mother to my two best buddies, Island and River. I I love you, River. I love you. I really am a simple man. And with and with with the love that you three show me and our new addition, Phoebe, I know there isn’t anything else in the world that I need. Thank you for everyone. This is an an honor of a lifetime. Now, James, bring on the b bag pipes. It’s time to party. Thank you, everyone. I love you.

Watch Joe Thornton’s 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame induction speech.