Joe Thornton, the longtime NHL center known as Jumbo, will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 10, 2025. Former teammate Patrick Marleau highlighted Thornton's work ethic, positive attitude and lasting friendship in a recent tribute. Thornton's career included 1,539 points over 1,714 games with the Bruins, Sharks, Maple Leafs and Panthers.
Joe Thornton's journey to the Hockey Hall of Fame has been marked by his exceptional playmaking, infectious personality and unbreakable bonds with teammates. Selected first overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1997 NHL Draft, Thornton was followed immediately by Patrick Marleau, picked second by the San Jose Sharks. The two became close friends as teenagers on Canadian rep teams and later teammates for 13 seasons with the Sharks, from 2005-17 and again in 2019-20.
A blockbuster trade on November 30, 2005, sent Thornton from Boston to San Jose in exchange for forwards Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau, plus defenseman Brad Stuart. That season, Thornton won the Art Ross Trophy with 125 points (29 goals, 96 assists) and the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, despite splitting time between the two teams. Over his 24-season career from 1997 to 2022, he amassed 1,539 points, ranking 14th all-time, with 1,109 assists (seventh all-time) in 1,714 games (sixth all-time). He reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2016 with the Sharks but lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. Thornton also contributed to Canada's gold medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics alongside Marleau.
Marleau, who will attend the induction, praised Thornton's resilience and optimism. "His philosophy always was: ‘Nothing you can do about it now. What we can do is attack the next challenge. So let’s go!’" Marleau told NHL.com. "He helped teach me to concentrate on what’s ahead, not what just happened."
From his hometown of St. Thomas, Ontario, where he earned the nickname Jumbo from a local elephant statue, Thornton has been celebrated for his larger-than-life character. The Sharks retired his No. 19 jersey on November 23, 2024, declaring it Joe Thornton Day in San Jose. He continues to mentor young players, including hosting Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini and maintaining a close relationship with Toronto's Auston Matthews.
The 2025 Hall class also includes Jennifer Botterill, Zdeno Chara, Brianna Decker, Duncan Keith and Alexander Mogilny in the Players category.