Joe Thornton seen in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform Photo credit: Larry MacDougal / CP

Fans have missed Joe Thornton, also known as Jumbo Joe, around the game, and to the delight of Leafs fans, he has returned to the league and is with the Leafs.

Joe Thornton, at 45 years young and affectionately referred to as “Jumbo Joe,” finally hung up his skates but is still intricately involved with the game he loves.

Joe Thornton just rejoined the Toronto Maple Leafs, this time not as a player but to further develop their junior skills.

 
“A great player for a long time in this league and he’s pretty close with a lot of these guys from playing here. It’s great to have him with us.”

– Craig Berube

 

Leafs captain Auston Matthews invited Thornton along on a two-game road trip, with stops in Philadelphia to drop the puck alongside franchise legends Wendel Clark and Doug Gilmour.

Head coach Craig Berube praised it as a great move since Thornton has become so close to many of the players since his Toronto days.

A surefire Hall of Famer, Thornton has an incredible NHL legacy with 1,539 career points in 1,714 games (430 goals, 1,109 assists).

He’s sixth all-time in games played, just 65 back of Patrick Marleau’s record. Of course, this isn’t about the records for Thornton’s return but rather about passing on wisdom to the next generation.

Thornton spent the 2020-21 season with the Leafs, scoring five goals and 20 points in 44 games.

While he was with Toronto for a comparatively short period versus his legendary tours of duty for the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks, his influence was undeniable and perhaps most notably in the locker room.

Auston Matthews still speaks with extreme respect for Thornton’s legacy, both as a person and a player.

An Art Ross, Hart Trophy winner, and Olympic gold medalist, Thornton’s resume speaks for itself. Still, it’s the off-ice leadership and friendships that really have cemented his place as one of the most beloved figures in hockey.

While Thornton will forever be synonymous with the Sharks, his influence in Toronto lives on, evidenced by the respect and admiration he continues to receive.