Five memorable moments of Thornton's iconic Sharks career

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After 15 incredible seasons in San Jose, Joe Thornton is headed to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here's a look back at a few of his memorable moments in teal.

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<p>While Patrick Marleau is returning for a third tour of duty with the Sharks, Joe Thornton has left the city he called home for the last 15 years.</p>

<p>Jumbo signed a <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/sharks/joe-thornton-leaves-sharks-signs-one-year-contract-maple-leafs">one-year contract with</a> the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, bringing to an end one of the most storied careers in Sharks franchise history.</p>

<p>While Thornton helped guide the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, he didn't score a goal in the series and San Jose lost, so we'll stick to positive moments with this list.</p>

<p>Here's a look back at five of the top moments in Thornton's Sharks career, in no particular order.</p>

While Patrick Marleau is returning for a third tour of duty with the Sharks, Joe Thornton has left the city he called home for the last 15 years.

Jumbo signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday, bringing to an end one of the most storied careers in Sharks franchise history.

While Thornton helped guide the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, he didn't score a goal in the series and San Jose lost, so we'll stick to positive moments with this list.

Here's a look back at five of the top moments in Thornton's Sharks career, in no particular order.

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<p>On Nov. 20, 2005, the Sharks acquired Thornton from the Boston Bruins for Brad Stuart, Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau.</p>

<p>At the time of the trade, Thornton had nine goals and 24 assists with the Bruins. After joining the Sharks, he added another 20 goals and 72 assists in 58 games.</p>

<p>Thornton finished with a league-leading 125 points, taking home the Art Ross Trophy as a scoring leader. He also received 67 of the 129 first-place votes for the Hart Trophy (MVP) and beat out New York Rangers star Jaromir Jagr for the award.</p>

<p>Not a bad first half-season in teal for Jumbo.</p>

On Nov. 20, 2005, the Sharks acquired Thornton from the Boston Bruins for Brad Stuart, Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau.

At the time of the trade, Thornton had nine goals and 24 assists with the Bruins. After joining the Sharks, he added another 20 goals and 72 assists in 58 games.

Thornton finished with a league-leading 125 points, taking home the Art Ross Trophy as a scoring leader. He also received 67 of the 129 first-place votes for the Hart Trophy (MVP) and beat out New York Rangers star Jaromir Jagr for the award.

Not a bad first half-season in teal for Jumbo.

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<p>There's nothing better than ending your rival's season, and that's exactly what Joe Thornton did in 2011.</p>

<p>In Game 6 of the Sharks' first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, Thornton netted the overtime goal to send the Sharks into the Western Conference semifinals.</p>

<p>His celebration was amazing.</p>

<p>Unfortunately for Thornton and the Sharks, they lost in the Western Conference Final to the Vancouver Canucks.</p>

There's nothing better than ending your rival's season, and that's exactly what Joe Thornton did in 2011.

In Game 6 of the Sharks' first-round series against the Los Angeles Kings, Thornton netted the overtime goal to send the Sharks into the Western Conference semifinals.

His celebration was amazing.

Unfortunately for Thornton and the Sharks, they lost in the Western Conference Final to the Vancouver Canucks.

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<p>On Nov. 13, 2018, Joe Thornton joined rarified air.</p>

<p>With the Nashville Predators in town, Jumbo scored the game-winning goal with 6:42 left in regulation.</p>

<p>It just happened to be his 400th career NHL goal.</p>

<p>With that marker, he became the <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/sharks/sharks-joe-thornton-joined-hall-fame-company-400-career-goals">11th player in NHL history</a> with 400 goals and 1,000 career assists.</p>

On Nov. 13, 2018, Joe Thornton joined rarified air.

With the Nashville Predators in town, Jumbo scored the game-winning goal with 6:42 left in regulation.

It just happened to be his 400th career NHL goal.

With that marker, he became the 11th player in NHL history with 400 goals and 1,000 career assists.

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<p>Later in the 2018-19 season, Thornton registered his 1,000th career point with the Sharks.</p>

<p>Naturally, it came as an assist on a goal by Evander Kane on Feb. 7 against the Calgary Flames.</p>

<p>Thornton leaves San Jose with 1,055 points (251 goals, 804 assists) during his 15 seasons with the team.</p>

Later in the 2018-19 season, Thornton registered his 1,000th career point with the Sharks.

Naturally, it came as an assist on a goal by Evander Kane on Feb. 7 against the Calgary Flames.

Thornton leaves San Jose with 1,055 points (251 goals, 804 assists) during his 15 seasons with the team.

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<p>Thornton recorded three hat tricks during his time with the Sharks, and the last one came against the Boston Bruins, the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 1997.</p>

<p>On Feb. 18, 2019, Jumbo scored three times, but it still wasn't enough as the Sharks fell 6-5 to the Bruins.</p>

<p>At the time of the game, Thornton was 39 years old. Not bad for a player in the twilight of his career.</p>

<p>Unfortunately for Thornton and Sharks fans, he never registered a four-<a data-timestamp="1602896680" href="https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/joe-thornton-four-goal-game-celebration-probably-better-195736956--nhl.html">goal "Rooster Game."</a></p>

Thornton recorded three hat tricks during his time with the Sharks, and the last one came against the Boston Bruins, the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 1997.

On Feb. 18, 2019, Jumbo scored three times, but it still wasn't enough as the Sharks fell 6-5 to the Bruins.

At the time of the game, Thornton was 39 years old. Not bad for a player in the twilight of his career.

Unfortunately for Thornton and Sharks fans, he never registered a four-goal "Rooster Game."

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