Big Joe Thornton started his career by playing seven seasons with the Bruins but during the 2005-2006 season he became upset with the direction of the franchise that drafted him and requested a trade. In what became one of the most lopsided trades in NHL history, Thornton was traded to the San Jose Sharks for Brad Stuart, Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau. Thornton went on a complete tear after arriving in San Jose, scoring 92 points in his first 58 games in route to the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Award at season's end. He would then go on to play 14 seasons in San Jose before briefly playing for Toronto and Florida before retiring after the 2021-2022 season.
In 1,714 games played, Thornton has a career 430 goals, 1,109 assists for 1,539 points and career +182 rating. Known for his trademark beard he sported throughout his career, he received the nickname Big Joe for his formidable size and for how difficult it was for opponents to knock him off the puck and his willingness to mix it up physically with any opponent, or to get under opponents' skin. In 184 playoff games, he had 134 points.
