Ever since getting traded from the Boston Bruins to the San Jose Sharks during the 2005-06 season, Joe Thornton has been a staple in the teal, black, and silver. The man endearingly referred to as “Jumbo” was a core member of a Sharks team that always seemed to be a threat to make a Stanley Cup run, despite never actually getting the chance to lift it.
With Jumbo’s career now in the twilight stage, he’s changing teams for the 2nd time. This upcoming season, Thornton will be joining a Toronto Maple Leafs squad that is looking to finally live up to high expectations, or at least make it past the 1st round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Even if he’s not tossing up apples the way he used to, Jumbo can provide leadership to the developing Leafs. If Evander Kane’s message is anything to note, Thornton’s leadership certainly seemed to work in San Jose.
Similar to when Marc-Andre Fleury left Pittsburgh and Sidney Crosby saved his airplane seat, Evander Kane will also be perched next to a vacant. The bonds you create on and off the ice in professional hockey are special, and tearing them apart is one of the hardest parts of the game.
(H/T Evander Kane)
