Thornton's journey to becoming a Sharks legend was marked by emotions and support from his team and fans.

On a Saturday afternoon in San Jose, Joe Thornton was overcome with emotion as his jersey, No. 19, was raised to the rafters at the SAP Center. Surrounded by his loving family, including his wife, Tabea, and children Alya and River, as well as his parents, Wayne and Mary, Thornton also had the support of his former teammates, team owner Hasso Plattner, coaches, and even people from his hometown of St. Thomas, Ontario. And of course, the passionate fans who had been with him throughout his incredible career.

In a sold-out arena filled with 17,435 devoted fans, Thornton took to the stage for a heartfelt, 30-minute speech. He expressed his gratitude to everyone who had been a part of his journey, acknowledging the energy, passion, and support he felt from the fans every time he stepped onto the ice. And with a twinkle in his eye, he admitted that this may be the reason he never wore a shirt during his post-game interviews.

Dressed in a stylish charcoal suit and fedora, Thornton made his way onto the ice, greeted by his current Sharks teammates. He then walked out from beneath the iconic Sharks head one final time, marking the end of an era.

Throughout the ceremony, Thornton was joined on stage by former teammates and friends, including Ryane Clowe, Douglas Murray, Joe Pavelski, and Patrick Marleau. Each one shared touching video messages, highlighting the deep bond they had formed with the legendary player.

Clowe reminisced about their time together and how they may have butted heads at times, but always came out as better friends. Murray, who started his Sharks career at the same time as Thornton, shared a heartwarming story about how Joe had asked him to help move a homeless woman and her children into a new apartment. And Pavelski spoke about how Thornton's leadership and support helped him stay calm after a scary head injury during a playoff game.

Thornton also looked back on his experience as captain of the Sharks from 2010 to 2014 and how he passed on the torch to Pavelski. He recalled the uncertainty and the moment when Pavelski told him, "I got all the belief in the world in you. Let's go do this together."

As fate would have it, Thornton's jersey was placed in the rafters near his longtime teammate, Marleau's No. 12. The two had experienced the highs and lows of the franchise together, forming an unbreakable bond.

Marleau thanked Thornton for making hockey fun, even during the toughest moments. And with tears in his eyes, he expressed his gratitude for their friendship and brotherhood throughout their careers.

The ceremony also included heartfelt tributes from current Sharks captain Logan Couture, former general manager Doug Wilson, and former players Evgeni Nabokov, Brent Burns, and Tomas Hertl in a touching video tribute.

Amidst the heartfelt messages, there were also moments of laughter. Thornton shared stories about Hertl's four-goal game as a rookie and the R-rated promise he made if he ever achieved the same feat. He also reminisced about posing naked with Burns for a magazine cover, joking that he had never played with a wild animal before.

Thornton officially announced his retirement in 2023, and just three months later, the Sharks announced that his number would never be worn again. And it's no surprise considering his impressive record as a Shark. He holds the franchise records for most assists, points per game, power-play points, and plus-minus. He is also second all-time in points and even-strength points, third in games played, and fourth in goals.

But Thornton's legacy goes beyond stats. He was a true leader, mentor, and friend to his teammates. And his impact on the community and the fans cannot be measured.

As he thanked his loved ones, Thornton shared a touching moment with his wife, Tabea, acknowledging her unwavering support throughout his career. He also expressed his love and gratitude for his children, saying that they have given him more than the game of hockey ever could.

In a final message to the fans, Thornton said, "Thank you, Sharks fans. Like I said when I retired, I'll see you at the rink. Peace and love. Go Sharks." And with that, he waved to the crowd, marking the end of a remarkable career and the beginning of his well-deserved place in San Jose Sharks immortality.

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