The San Jose Sharks spiced up the slow part of the summer by announcing lineup additions to the hockey operations staff for the 2025-26 season, including one who's a Hall of Famer.
Joe Thornton will be lacing up his skates for his new role of player development coach and hockey operations advisor for the Sharks. "Jumbo" Joe played 15 of his 25 seasons with the San Jose Sharks. He also played with the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.
Thornton retired after the 2021-22 season, ending his career with 1,539 points (430 goals, 1,109 assists) and having played 1,714 regular-season games. Among all NHL players, Thornton ranks 14th in points, seventh in assists and sixth in games played. He has won the Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy and an Olympic gold medal for Team Canada in 2010.
On Nov. 24, 2024, Thornton became the second player to have his jersey number retired by the Sharks, joining Patrick Marleau. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame with the class of 2025.
The Sharks also announced the hiring of Thomas Vanek as a hockey operations advisor and Charlie Townsend as the director of hockey operations.
