Manage your account
…
Auston Matthews’ Silent Reaction to Joe Thornton News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Jumbo Joe has reached hockey immortality following the announcement on Tuesday that former San Jose Sharks superstar center Joe Thornton has been finally elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Thornton, who spent most of his playing career in the NHL with the Sharks, had an incredible reaction when he learned of the honor.
“Holy doodle, I can’t believe that I am receiving this honor,” the former Hart Memorial Trophy winner said, per NHL.com. There are so many people I need to thank because I certainly couldn’t have done this alone.”
Congratulatory messages for Thornton also flowed following the news. His former Toronto Maple Leafs teammate, Auston Matthews, had a simple social media gesture to show his respect for one of the best ever to do it on the ice, as he reshared a post by Bleacher Report about Thornton’s achievement.
Matthews is among the fortunate ones to share the ice as Thornton’s teammate in the NHL, even though it was during the latter part of the legend’s pro career.
Thornton spent the 2020-21 NHL regular season with the Maple Leafs, appearing in 44 games and scoring five goals to go with 15 assists for 20 points.
He signed with the Florida Panthers for the 2021-22 campaign. Thornton didn’t have a team in the 2022-23 season, but it was not until October of 2023 that he announced his retirement from the NHL.
In 1,714 regular season games in the NHL with the Boston Bruins, Sharks, Maple Leafs and Panthers, Thornton racked up 430 goals, 1,109 assists and a plus-182.
Related: Maple Leafs React to Major Auston Matthews Announcement on Monday
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
