Former NHL MVP Joe Thornton announced his retirement from the league Saturday, closing the book on a 24-year career.
Thornton had been the NHL’s active career points leader with 1,539 points, 12th most in NHL history.
Thornton posted a video to his X account Saturday announcing the news.
“Judging by how many people keep asking me, I guess I have to tell you, I’m officially retired from the NHL,” Thornton said. “I 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 numbers of people who helped this kid’s dream become a reality. And if you’re looking for me, you know where to find me. I’ll be at the rink. Peace and love.”
Thornton will almost certainly find himself in the Hockey Hall of Fame once he is eligible. His best season came in 2005-06 when he captured the Hart Trophy, the NHL’s MVP, after scoring 125 points. His MVP season is remembered for the fact that he was traded from the Boston Bruins, where he spent his first eight seasons to the San Jose Sharks where he would spend the next 15 seasons. Thornton was also named to four NHL All-Star teams in his career. A Stanley Cup, however, eluded him.
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