Shawn Thornton

Shawn Thornton (born July 23, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was known as an enforcer and for fighting during NHL games.

Shawn Thornton
Born (1977-07-23) July 23, 1977
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 217 lb (98 kg; 15 st 7 lb)
Position Winger
Shot Right
Played for Chicago Blackhawks
Anaheim Ducks
Boston Bruins
Florida Panthers
NHL Draft 190th overall, 1997
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 19972017

Playing career

Thornton played minor hockey for his hometown Oshawa Minor Generals of the OMHA's Eastern AAA League. He was drafted in the 9th round (145th overall) by the Peterborough Petes in the 1995 OHL Priority Selection.

Thornton in 2015 with the Florida Panthers

Thornton attempted to be drafted in the 1996 NHL draft but was not selected by any team. He was then drafted into the NHL by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1997, 190th overall, Thornton never played for Toronto and was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2001–02 season. After six seasons back and forth between the NHL and AHL between the Chicago and Anaheim Ducks franchises, Thornton won his first career Stanley Cup in his final season with the Ducks in 2006–07.

On July 1, 2007, Thornton signed a three-year, 1.5 million dollar, deal with the Boston Bruins.[1] During a seven-year tenure in Boston, Thornton won his second career Stanley Cup during the 2010–11 season in which he also tallied career high numbers in goals (10), assists (10), points (20) and +/– (8).

At the end of the 2013–14 season, the Bruins organization informed Thornton that they would not be re-signing him, ending his career in Boston.[2] That summer, he signed a two-year contract with the Florida Panthers.[3] At the end of his contract, he re-signed with Florida for one year.

On April 6, 2017, Thornton announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season and played his final game on April 8. During the announcement of his retirement, he revealed that he would be joining the Panthers' front office in a business related position after the conclusion of his playing career.[4]

Brooks Orpik incident

On December 7, 2013, Thornton tried to goad Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik into fighting after Orpik delivered a borderline hit on Boston’s Loui Eriksson early in the first period. Orpik rebuffed Thornton’s invitation and at 11:06 of the first period, after a whistle due to Penguins winger James Neal kneeing Bruins winger Brad Marchand in the head, Thornton approached a thicket of players from both teams, slew-footed Orpik from behind and, while Orpik was on the ice, punched him at least twice. Six days later, he received his suspension after an in-person hearing with the league’s department of player safety. He appealed the suspension and had a hearing that Friday with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who did not immediately announce a decision. On December 14, 2013, Thornton was suspended for fifteen games.[5]

Thornton, who was emotional after the game, contacted Orpik directly to apologize. Orpik conveyed forgiveness and understanding. Thornton and Orpik, who are friends, were part of a group of players who had worked out together in the offseason and during the NHL lockout.[6]

Personal life

Thornton founded the Thornton Foundation in 2013, which among other things, funds research into finding cures for Parkinson's disease and cancer.[7]

Thornton is a cousin of professional lacrosse players Zack and Bill Greer. Zack plays for the San Diego Seals of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), while Bill has retired and works for the Seals as an assistant coach.[8] Thornton is also the cousin of footballer Chris Brunt, who most recently played for Bristol City F.C. of the EFL Championship.[9]

Thornton was a part-owner of a restaurant in Pembroke, Massachusetts named Turner's Yard, which closed in 2014. Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield was also a member of the owner's group.

Thornton made a cameo in the 2012 film Ted as an audience member at a Norah Jones concert.[10][11]

Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1994–95Oshawa Kiwanis AAAOMHA4381928113
1995–96Peterborough PetesOHL63410141922430325
1996–97Peterborough PetesOHL611910292041124620
1997–98St. John's Maple LeafsAHL59033225
1998–99St. John's Maple LeafsAHL788111935450009
1999–00St. John's Maple LeafsAHL6041216316
2000–01St. John's Maple LeafsAHL795121732031232
2001–02Norfolk AdmiralsAHL708142228140004
2002–03Norfolk AdmiralsAHL5011213213902228
2002–03Chicago BlackhawksNHL1311231
2003–04Norfolk AdmiralsAHL646111725981126
2003–04Chicago BlackhawksNHL810123
2004–05Norfolk AdmiralsAHL71591426360008
2005–06Norfolk AdmiralsAHL59102232192400035
2005–06Chicago BlackhawksNHL1000016
2006–07Portland PiratesAHL1544855
2006–07Anaheim DucksNHL48279881500019
2007–08Boston BruinsNHL584377470006
2008–09Boston BruinsNHL796511123101016
2009–10Boston BruinsNHL741910141120004
2010–11Boston BruinsNHL791010201221801124
2011–12Boston BruinsNHL81581315450000
2012–13Boston BruinsNHL45347602204418
2013–14Boston BruinsNHL6453874120114
2014–15Florida PanthersNHL4614550
2015–16Florida PanthersNHL501458040002
2016–17Florida PanthersNHL5022467
AHL totals 605 61 100 161 2478 39 2 6 8 92
NHL totals 705 42 60 102 1103 105 1 6 7 83

Awards and honours

Award Year
NHL
Stanley Cup (Anaheim Ducks) 2007
Stanley Cup (Boston Bruins) 2011

References

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