Shawn Thornton continues to lead by example, and it’s paying off for the Bruins in the final.
Shawn Thornton knows a thing or two about patience.
After all, there aren't many guys who kick around the minors for the better part of nine seasons waiting for their chance to make it to the NHL. Most guys consider the reality of their chances and then get on with life.
Not Thornton. The thought crossed his mind, but the Oshawa-born tough guy was determined. His persistence paid off when the Chicago Blackhawks gave him some games in 'The Apple' over three seasons. It paid off again when he played the better part of the 2006-07 season with the Anaheim Ducks and helped them win the Stanley Cup. Then it paid off last summer when the Boston Bruins signed him to a two-year, $1.625 million contract.
But when he was yanked from the lineup following Game 2 of the Eastern Conference championship series, Thornton wasn't pleased. Not one to rock the boat, all Thornton could do was sit, wait and hope he'd get the tap on the shoulder.
"Against Tampa, it was the right decision (to take me out)," Thornton told sportsnet.ca after the Bruins landed in Vancouver Thursday afternoon. "It was the easy option -- probably the only option at the time. It kind of stinks because you always want to play, but it was the right decision. Besides, Tampa was built differently than the other teams so it wasn't that big a deal.
"That said it's always nice to be wanted. I was very happy to find out I was going back in. I kind of had a feeling I was going back in, but I wasn't sure. I didn't nap. I was lying there, but I couldn't sleep. I didn't drink my usual five or six coffees; just kept it to two or three so I wouldn't go over the line."
During the games spent in the press box, Thornton admits he wasn't the happiest -- or safest -- guy to be around.
"It kills me," Thornton said of his times as a healthy scratch. "I have a tough time watching. The boys were not sitting too close to me in case I punched someone if something happened. I'm too passionate to be sitting up there. I don't like watching hockey. I like playing."
Thornton is known as an energy player. Many refer to him as an enforcer, but the fact he had his most productive offensive numbers this season, scoring 10 goals and 20 points means he gets a much-deserved bump in his job description. He's a willing fighter that can actually play the game.
Getting back to his previous job description, Thornton understands he's responsible for providing his teammates with energy. All you have to do is watch him on the bench during the national anthems to know he understand his role. He hops and bops, bouncing from foot-to-foot, like he's seventh in line to the only bathroom in the rink.
"Most of the time I'm focusing and trying to visualize what's going to happen in the next 20 minutes," he said. "It's a routine I have to keep my legs going. I love when the crowd starts singing the national anthem. It gets me fired up."
When Thornton got his chance to return to the lineup, he made the best of it.
He was the talk of the Stanley Cup final after Game 3. In a mere nine shifts and 5:50 of ice time, the 6-foot-2 forward was a bundle of energy. Thornton had two hits, two shots on goal and was credited with one takeaway. He might have played more had he not been assessed a minor and 10-minute misconduct at 7:58 of the third period.
"I hadn't played in two weeks and I had a lot of pent up energy that I was excited to get out of me," Thornton said. "I have to play with emotion, but I want to keep my emotions in check because I don't want to be the guy who puts my team down. They are too dangerous on the power play to be putting them up a man by doing something stupid so I'm definitely trying to keep it within the rules."
His teammates appreciated his efforts.
"He played great tonight," Bruins forward Brad Marchand said to NESN.com following Game 3. "He played his role to a T. He was very talkative on the bench and in the room, and when he was out there he was flying around. He did his job. It's always nice to have Thorty out there. He's a big part of our team. Obviously the (the fans) love him. He's a warrior. He battles. I think he has the toughest job in hockey. What he does is a very respectable thing and the fans love it."
Thornton was even more effective in Game 4 when his playing time increased to 15 shifts and 9:29 of ice time. He had four hits and one shot. Furthermore, he seemed significantly more composed.
And that's what he'll do whenever he iss called upon. When you have your name on the Cup, you understand what it takes to be a winner.
Shawn Thornton is undoubtedly a winner.
