Joe Thornton

He is widely regarded as one of the best passers of all time and is one of only 13 players in history with 1,000 NHL assists.

Joe Thornton in a file photo. (image credits: twitter/BR_OpenIce)
By Dilpreet | Jun 1, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Born on July 2, 1979, Joe Thornton is a Canadian professional ice hockey center for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Thornton’s on-ice vision, strength on the puck, deft passing ability, and power forward style of play have led to him becoming one of the league’s premier top-line centers. He is widely regarded as one of the best passers of all time and is one of only 13 players in history with 1,000 NHL assists.His nickname “Jumbo Joe” is a nod to his large stature and to Jumbo the elephant, who died in St. Thomas, Ontario, where Thornton was raised.

Following the retirements of Bartolo Colon, Vince Carter, and Adam Vinatieri of the MLB, NBA, and NFL respectively, Thornton and fellow NHL veteran Zdeno Chára are the last active players of the four major North American sports leagues who played in their respective leagues in the 1990s, while Thornton stands as the earliest-drafted first-overall selection still active. He previously played for the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He was selected first overall by the Bruins in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play seven seasons with the club, three as its captain.

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NHL and National debut

Thornton grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown of St. Thomas, Ontario, for the St. Thomas Travellers. He played “AA” hockey for the Travelers and in peewee won an Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship in 1992–93. After his second OHL season, Thornton was selected first overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. He scored his first career NHL goal on December 3, 1997, in a 3–0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. Thornton was named to Canada’s national under-20 team for the 1997 World Junior Championships in Switzerland. At 17 years old, he recorded four points in seven games, helping Canada to a gold medal. Two years later, he made his debut with the Canadian men’s team at the 2001 World Championships in Germany.

Notable statistics

Games1714
Total Points1539
Total Goals430
Total Assists1109

Joe Thornton networth

As of 2022, Joe Thornton’s net worth is $60 million. He is the 8th richest hockey player in the world. Due to the NHL lockout in 2004-05, Joe Thornton went to play for HC Davos in the Swiss National League. He re-signed with the Bruins for a three-year deal worth $20 million. The same year he was traded to the San Jose Sharks where he later signed a $21 million deal. He re-signed to a one-year, $2 million contract on September 6, 2019, to remain with the Sharks. On October 16, 2020, Thornton signed a one-year, $700,000 contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Thornton returned for his 24th NHL season on August 13, 2021, signing a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Florida Panthers.

Who is Joe Thornton’s wife?

Thornton is married to Tabea Pfendsack, whom he met while playing in Switzerland during the 2004–05 NHL lockout. The couple has a daughter and a son. Their first child, a daughter named Alya, was born on July 14, 2010, while the son, River, was born on June 6, 2013. Tabea Pfendsack is a Swiss businesswoman and writer of the famous children’s book, “The Very Hairy But Not So Scary Mouse”. They started getting closer once Joe started visiting the bar managed by Tabea frequently. Not to mention, they instantly clicked and started dating. After dating for four whole years, the couple finally tied the knot on June 26, 2009.