«Jumbo» officially re-joins the Sharks organization as Player Development Coach/Hockey Operations Advisor.
After his official retirement from the NHL following the 2021-22 season, he finished with 1,539 points (430 goals, 1,109 assists) in 1,714 career games with the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers.
He ranks 14th in points, seventh in assists, and sixth in games played among all NHL players, is one of only 14 skaters to ever eclipse the 1,000-assist mark and was just the seventh player in NHL history to skate in 1,500 games, collect 1,000 assists and score 400 goals.
In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Thornton appeared in a combined 187 games with Boston, San Jose and Florida, collecting 134 points (32 goals, 102 assists).
Among several awards and accolades, Thornton was awarded the Art Ross Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy in 2006, was a six-time NHL All-Star (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009), was named an NHL First All-Star Team in 2006, and an NHL Second All-Star Team in 2003, 2008 and 2016.
He also has an Olympic Gold Medal (2010), World Cup of Hockey Gold Medals (2004, 2016), World Junior Championship Gold Medal (1997), and a Silver Medal at the World Championship (2005) with Team Canada.
On Nov. 23, 2024, he became the second player in Sharks franchise history to have the distinguished recognition of having his jersey number retired, joining Patrick Marleau. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame with the Class of 2025.