The festivities for San Jose Sharks retiring No. 19 began at San Jose City Hall with the proclamation of Joe Thornton Day.
Thornton's number will be the second in team history to be raised to the rafters after Patrick Marleau. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Sharks President Jonathan Becher, and the City of San Jose made Nov. 23 a special day.
Jumbo’s speech at City Hall was classic pic.twitter.com/VbZdUqmqxD
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) November 21, 2024
Thornton's infectious energy was seen throughout his speech and showed even more during the Q&A portion.
Q: Favorite memory as a Shark?
There's been so many. I think game seven against Vegas, you got to put that up. You know that has to be incredible. I think my first game coming here to San Jose, just going through the shark head. That was unreal. But really, just the people here have been so really, really good to me. It's been great.
Q: Do you plan to take an official job with the Sharks?
No. I'm helping coach the U12 hockey team with the Junior Sharks. That's good enough for me right now.
Q: Why does San Jose feel like home, and what does having a day named after him mean?
I listen to a lot of music, and Jim Morrison says the West is the best, and I truly believe that. I love the East Coast. I love visiting, but I love the West Coast. It sure is far away from home, and we get off and home quite a bit, so it is nice to see Mom and Dad. But this is home, and this is where I love to live.
My mom and dad still live in the same house—I know the address. I never thought I'd live in California. It was a dream growing up. I love the Beach Boys, too. I talked about California Dreaming. But yeah, I think at a young age, I just was in love with California, and here I am right now.
Q: What does it mean to have his number retired right after Patrick Marleau?
I've known Patty since I was 17 years old, so for me to go in there right after him, he obviously drafted second overall in 97, and I went somewhere else, but to be up there together, it's a special night for me, and to see the number 12 and the number 19 up there. I'm sure there's going to be some more numbers coming after us, but I'm looking forward to it.
Q: Do you think you'd ever see your number in the rafters of an NHL building?
No. If you asked my dad my first year, I didn't think I was going to survive my first year, even my second year. To end up playing as long as I did, I don't know how I did it, with the support of a loving family.
Q: Was there a player you ever wished you could play with?
Probably Eric Lindross, the Big E. I was a fan of him growing up. I thought he was going to join one of my teams earlier on in my career, but he didn't. But I would've really enjoyed playing with him.
Q: What would being in the Hockey Hall of Fame mean?
That's a pipe dream. You know, that stuff doesn't happen. So, yeah, it's cool.
Q: Do you understand your impact on today's NHL superstars?
I love life and hockey. I don't know. I get so many texts that I keep in contact with so many guys, and they know their feelings on how I feel about them, but really, I'm just so lucky. I've met so many good guys that I've kept in contact with and will be friends of mine for a lifetime. It's nice having good friends.
Q: Will you score four goals during the alumni game?
I asked Thornton if he wanted to score four goals during tomorrow’s #SJSharks alumni game. With a Jumbo smile he said, “I don’t know how many people will enjoy that. But you never know!” Laughter throughout the answer
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) November 21, 2024
Q: What is your happiest day as a Shark?
Every day—honestly, every day—I love going to the rink. I know my wife can tell everybody I showered at the rink every day. If it was a day off, I went to the rink. I rode the bike. I worked out. I love going to the rink, and I still go to the rink every day now. If it's with my son or if it's not, I'm always at the rink. It really is my happy place.
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