SAN JOSE — San Jose Sharks icon Joe Thornton now has an official title with the team he starred on for 15 seasons.
The Sharks announced on Tuesday that Thornton, who had his number 19 retired by the team last year, is officially re-joining the organization as a player development coach and hockey operations advisor.
Thornton had unofficially worked in player development for the Sharks since his official retirement from the NHL following the 2021-22 season. But he is now officially part of the Sharks’ player development staff, joining director Todd Marchant, Mike Ricci, fellow team legend Patrick Marleau, Tommy Wingels, and Luca Sbisa.
Thornton was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame last month after he finished his 24-year NHL career with 1,539 points (430 goals, 1,109 assists) in 1,714 career games with the Boston Bruins, Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. He ranks 14th in points, seventh in assists, and sixth in games played among all NHL players. He is one of only 14 skaters ever to eclipse the 1,000-assist mark and was just the seventh player in NHL history to skate in 1,500 games, collect 1,000 assists, and score 400 goals.
The Sharks acquired Thornton in a trade with the Boston Bruins in Nov. 2005. He remained with the franchise until the end of the pandemic-interrupted 2019-2020 season.
The Sharks also announced that Owen Hixon is the new assistant equipment manager. Jon Laughner worked in that capacity for the Sharks last season. This is Hixon’s first NHL job, as he previously worked as the assistant equipment manager for Arizona State’s ice hockey program for four seasons.
Several others within the Sharks’ hockey operations department have new roles and titles.
Charlie Townsend – Director of Hockey Operations
AJ Bernstein – Hockey Operations, Strategy and Data Analyst
Dylan Finan – Hockey Operations, Scouting Coordinator
Jon Hull – Head USA Amateur Scout
Tim LeRoy – Assistant Equipment Manager
Thomas Vanek – Hockey Operations Advisor
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