'I Always Tell People When They Ask Me That It Was An Experience Playing With Jumbo': Maple Leafs Reflect on the Impact Joe Thornton Made in His Lone Season

Thornton officially announced his retirement from the NHL on Saturday after an astonishing 24 seasons in the NHL where he amassed 430 goals and 1109 assists in 1714 games. And while he'll be best remembered for his time with the San Jose Sharks where he reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2016 and his eight seasons to begin his career with the Boston Bruins, there was that one season he decided to join the Maple Leafs. 

Like former teammate Patrick Marleau before him, the Maple Leafs sought out Thornton as another veteran who could help with younger core players Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander continuing to develop, Thornton added his unique personality and love for the game that was evident, even if no fans were able to see it in person.

Thornton signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs before the COVID-abbreviated 56-game regular season. In Canada, the entire season was played in front of no fans, except Game 6 in Montreal (2,500 fans) and Game 7 in front of healthcare workers (550 fans). 

Growing up in St. Thomas, it was an experience that was unfortunate as Leafs fans never got to see it up close.

"Him feeding off the crowd, the crowd feeding off him, I think people would have enjoyed his personality and joy that be brought to the game of hockey," Tavares said.

The quarantine house

A large contingent of Maple Leafs players quarantined for 14 days together as mandated by Health Canada for entry into Canada. Thornton along with Matthews joined William Nylander, Rasmus Sandin and Mac Hollowell in the same house. Thornton and Hollowell randomly struck up quite a bone.

"He's 20 years younger than me but we have the same interests," Thornton said of Hollowell on March 29, 2021. "

Hollowell made his NHL debut with the Leafs last season and Thornton maintained the communication.

“He kind of forces you out of your shell a little bit,” Hollowell said last season. “He messaged me after my first point, just told me to keep things going here

Willy Styles

Maple Leafs and affectionately refer to William Nylander as 'Willy Styles' after the star forward began to replace the 'NYLANDER' name on his sticks with his newly given nickname.

Nylander explained that the nickname was given to him by Thornton while in the quarantine house. Thornton refused to divulge the details as to why the nickname was given.

"That's a little bit of a secret," Thornton said with a smile when asked about it in 2021. "It's a good nickname and I'm glad he's going with it."

A unique setup

With all of his quirks, Tavares reflected on the time they'd get changed in the locker room. Players were far apart in their stalls due to COVID restrictions. 

Tavares, evidently, was thankful for the extra space being next to the legendary player.

"I said, 'thank goodness because the spread he put on with his gear and his setup he put on every day was pretty unique'."

Oldest Leaf to ever score a goal

On April 24, 2021, Thornton scored a goal against the Winnipeg Jets to become the oldest Maple Leaf to score a goal at 41 years and 296 days.

Thornton scored one week later against the Vancouver Canucks as the franchise record (not including playoffs) holds at 41 years and 303 days. It may possibly never be broken. 

Thornton began the regular season on the top line with Matthews and Marner but his role began to diminish as the season went along. But by all accounts, he never complained about it and just enjoyed being with the guys. He was 41 when he was with the Leafs, which is older than the current oldest player in the league (Mark Giordano). But he still had an excitement for the game that rubbed off on players.

"Just the passion and the energy he has coming to the rink for a guy that’s played as long as he had at that point and everything that he’d accomplished in his career," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Thornton's time. "For me, that’s the lasting piece of his short time here is that he just gave our guys that sense of the importance of remaining connected to having fun and enjoying every day."

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