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Sharks Acquire Joe Thornton
Wednesday, Nov. 30th, 2005
Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson pulled off maybe the biggest trade in Sharks history Wednesday night when he acquired perennial All-Star center Joe Thornton from the Boston Bruins. The transaction came with a price as San Jose moved wingers Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau, along with defenseman Brad Stuart. However when all is said and done, the best player landed in the Bay Area.
Thornton, the first overall pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, selected just before his current teammate Patrick Marleau, has played in the past three NHL All-Star games and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2003.
“He is a leader who scores points and makes other players around him better,” said Wilson. “To get a player of this caliber, you have to give up something to get something. You would make this trade last month, this month or next year. It follows our philosophy of making our team better for this year and next year.”
A power forward at six-foot-four and 223 pounds, the burly center possesses unbelievable skill as he posted a 101 point season in 2002-03. During the current season, Thornton leads Boston with 33 points on nine goals and 24 assists in 23 contests. The 33 points would be a team high for San Jose.
Thornton will also provide strength for Team Teal in the faceoff circle as he is successful 52.2 percent of the time and his even plus/minus rating was one of the best on the struggling Bruins.
The Thornton name is familiar to Sharks fans via Joe’s cousin Scott who has spent his best years in San Jose.
Boston is scheduled to play at home on Thursday, so the newest Thornton will likely join his new team in Buffalo for a Friday night debut.
Thornton is making in excess of $6 million a year, but is signed for four seasons.
Thornton, the first overall pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, selected just before his current teammate Patrick Marleau, has played in the past three NHL All-Star games and was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2003.
“He is a leader who scores points and makes other players around him better,” said Wilson. “To get a player of this caliber, you have to give up something to get something. You would make this trade last month, this month or next year. It follows our philosophy of making our team better for this year and next year.”
A power forward at six-foot-four and 223 pounds, the burly center possesses unbelievable skill as he posted a 101 point season in 2002-03. During the current season, Thornton leads Boston with 33 points on nine goals and 24 assists in 23 contests. The 33 points would be a team high for San Jose.
Thornton will also provide strength for Team Teal in the faceoff circle as he is successful 52.2 percent of the time and his even plus/minus rating was one of the best on the struggling Bruins.
The Thornton name is familiar to Sharks fans via Joe’s cousin Scott who has spent his best years in San Jose.
Boston is scheduled to play at home on Thursday, so the newest Thornton will likely join his new team in Buffalo for a Friday night debut.
Thornton is making in excess of $6 million a year, but is signed for four seasons.
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