Thornton retires from NHL after 24 seasons

Joe Thornton announced his retirement from the NHL on Saturday after 24 seasons.

The 44-year-old shared the news in a video posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter, by the San Jose Sharks, one of his former teams.

“Hey, judging by how many people keep asking me, I guess I have to tell you: I’m officially retiring from the NHL,” Thornton said. “Thought you guys would have figured it out sooner, but you kept asking. So here I am, retiring.

“I have so much love for the game of hockey and for countless number of people that helped this kid’s dream become a reality. And if you’re looking for me, you know where to fine me. I’ll be at the rink. Peace and love.”

Thornton last played in the 2021-22 season, when the center had 10 points (five goals, five assists) in an NHL career-low 34 games for the Florida Panthers and was a healthy scratch for all but one of their 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Thornton said after that season that he was unsure about his future.

"I haven't put any thought into it at all right now," Thornton said in May 2022 after the Panthers were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Second Round. "I think it's still so quick. I wasn't expecting that. It took me by surprise, so I'm sure I'll talk with the family and see what our plan is next. I haven't decided if I'm going to play or not, but we'll talk and see how everybody's feeling about it. We'll see."

Selected by the Boston Bruins with the No. 1 pick in the 1997 NHL Draft, Thornton is 12th in NHL history with 1,539 points (430 goals, 1,109 assists), seventh in assists and sixth in games played (1,714). He played for the Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Sharks and Bruins.

Thornton had 134 points (32 goals, 102 assists) in 187 playoff games. He played for San Jose for 15 seasons from 2005-2020 and ranks first in Sharks history in assists (804), second in points (1,055), third in games (1,104) and fourth in goals (251).

"I think it was fitting and epic Joe the way he did it," Sharks coach David Quinn said. "He's a unique individual. He's got an incredible heart. I, obviously, got to know him here over the last year-plus and we all know what he's meant to this franchise, and we all know what he's meant to the game of hockey. We're very lucky to still have him around here, use him as a resource, but if you want to know anything about Joe Thornton, just watch how he retired."

The Sharks qualified for the postseason in 13 of his 15 seasons, including making the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, when they lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.

"I still remember the first moment [I met him]," Sharks forward Tomas Hertl said. "I think it was before camp. I sat on the bike at the gym, and he sat next to me, and I just looked right and it was Joe Thornton. I was almost shaking just sitting next to him, but I was really lucky I could start my career with him. My first NHL game was with him in the middle, so I experienced him a lot.

"Just being around, the first thing I remember was loud in the locker room, just laugh loud and a funny guy but at the same time one of the hardest working guys and always in the gym, always getting ready for the game. [He] loved to be around the locker room, loved to be around the guys and loved the game. He was always right there, and I still remember when I got hurt during the Stanley Cup Final a week later he was already in the gym. He just loved working out, but loved to be with the guys and having fun.

"I played with two guys [who] deserve it. It's 'Patty' (Patrick Marleau) and 'Jumbo.' It's tough because I don't know anybody who deserved it more than them to win the Cup. It's tough they missed the chance. We were really close, two games away, but even if it's tough, they both have incredible careers. They helped so many young kids to love hockey because they followed their careers and they will always remember Jumbo and Patty, everybody in San Jose especially because they both will have jerseys [retired]. Patty is already there. Jumbo will probably follow. Probably the two players everybody remembers when they say San Jose Sharks and I was really lucky I can play with both of them, especially I am really lucky I can learn from both of them, and I can call them friends, too. He will be for sure missed in the hockey world."

Thornton won the Hart Trophy voted as the most valuable player in the NHL and the Art Ross Trophy as the top scorer in 2005-06, when he had 125 points (29 goals, 96 assists) in 81 games for the Bruins and Sharks.

"I feel like I've been privileged to play this game for a long time, so I don't take anything for granted," Thornton said in May 2022. "But I never think what-ifs, to be honest with you. I just kind of try to live in the moment and go from there."

NHL.com staff writer Tom Gulitti contributed to this report