While thinking about a transfer to the Toronto Maple Leafs as a totally free agent, center Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks sought as much advice as possible.
He talked to friends and family. He consulted with Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau, former San Jose teammates who left the team through free firm. Thornton said the most memorable assistance he got was from another Bay Area sports legend.
” I in fact spoke to Joe Montana. I think Joe provided me some excellent guidance. He simply talked about leaving San Francisco and going to Kansas City,” said Thornton, who signed an one-year handle the Leafs on Friday.
In 1993, Montana asked for a trade from the 49ers, who delivered the 37-year-old quarterback to Kansas City, where he completed his career with the Chiefs.
” I had a lot of individuals I talked with over the recently. Im just blessed I had a chance to speak to some great individuals. He was one guy who offered me some great guidance,” Thornton stated.
2 RelatedThornton, 41, is skating with HC Davos in the Swiss National League in preparation for the upcoming NHL season. His agreement with the Leafs is for $700,000.
The decision to sign up with Toronto ended Thorntons 15-season run with the Sharks. In 1,636 video games with San Jose and the Boston Bruins, he amassed 1,509 points– most amongst active players. Hes 14th all time in career points and seventh in profession assists (1,089). He won the NHL scoring title and MVP honors in 2005-06.
” The emotions I feel are gratitude and reflection. Its difficult to put into words what Joe indicated for this franchise over 15 seasons,” San Jose basic manager Doug Wilson said. “I believe there are extremely couple of gamers in professional sports that can alter a franchise the way he did.”
Thornton applauded the organization and the fans in San Jose.
” They liked me and I loved them right back,” he stated. “The Shark Tank was one of the best buildings to play in, and we had a lot of memories there.”
However after he and Wilson were unable to find a landing spot for Thornton on a competitor at the most current trade deadline, the veteran center discovered one through free firm.
“It was most likely the hardest hockey decision I ever had to make.
Thornton said the most remarkable assistance he got was from another Bay Area sports legend.
He just talked about leaving San Francisco and going to Kansas City,” stated Thornton, who signed an one-year deal with the Leafs on Friday.
He was one guy who used me some good guidance,” Thornton said.
The choice to sign up with Toronto ended Thorntons 15-season run with the Sharks. Its hard to put into words what Joe meant for this franchise over 15 seasons,” San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said.
