NHL Icon Joe Thornton Opens Home To Homeless Woman

After an incredible 24-year career in the NHL, Joe Thornton’s former teammates are shedding light on what made him exceptional not just on the ice, but off it as well.

Thornton had his jersey retired by the San Jose Sharks on Saturday, November 23, after spending 15 seasons with the team from 2005 to 2020. The ceremony included heartfelt tributes from some of his closest friends and peers, celebrating his legacy. Thornton’s iconic No. 19 now hangs in the rafters of the SAP Center, making him only the second player in Sharks history to receive such an honor.

Among the tributes was a touching story shared by former teammate Douglas Murray, revealing a side of NHL legend Joe Thornton that many fans never knew.

In a heartfelt video message, Douglas Murray shared a deeply personal story about Joe Thornton’s generosity that had remained largely unknown. “I got a phone call three years into my career,” Murray recalled. “I was asked to come and help move a family. I drive to the address and they’re moving into a two-bedroom apartment in San Jose. And I’m like, ‘Who’s living here? We traded for a player or something?'”

Murray soon learned that the family wasn’t related to any trade. “No, it’s a mom with two kids. She was homeless and she needed a place to stay,” Murray explained.

At the time, Thornton had told him, “You can’t tell anybody about this.”

Years later, Murray admitted, “It’s been such a long time ago, so now I’m going to break the trust and tell everybody about this.” He then reflected on the selflessness of Thornton’s actions, saying, “There it was. Nobody knew.”

The memory brought Murray to tears as he remembered the kindness Thornton had shown. “Homeless mom, two kids,” he said, his voice breaking. “Nobody ever knew. That’s who they are.”

Joe Thornton spent his career orchestrating perfect passes to set up his teammates for success, helping them score goals. On Saturday, during his jersey retirement ceremony, it was his former San Jose teammates’ turn to return the favor, showering him with heartfelt tributes that highlighted his skill, leadership, and the deep bonds of friendship they shared. The emotional tributes repeatedly brought Thornton to tears on what was a profoundly moving afternoon.

“The best thing hockey ever gave me – friends for life,” Thornton said during his heartfelt speech. He took a moment to thank his former teammates, coaches, executives, and family members who supported him throughout his illustrious career.

Dressed in a sharp black suit and top hat, Thornton made his way to the ceremony, where he walked past current members of the Sharks, each wearing fake beards in his honor, before emerging through the iconic Shark head to a roaring applause from the crowd.

With his precise passing, infectious enthusiasm, and signature beard, Joe Thornton became the face of the San Jose Sharks franchise, earning the honor of having his No. 19 jersey raised to the rafters.

Thornton now joins longtime teammate Patrick Marleau as the only players to have their jerseys retired by the Sharks. It’s a fitting tribute, as the two entered the NHL together as the top two picks in the 1997 draft and spent 13 seasons playing side by side in San Jose.

“Thank you for making hockey fun, even in the hardest moments,” Marleau said during his emotional tribute. “I’m very thankful and honored that your banner is going to be up next to mine.”

While Thornton was drafted No. 1 overall by Boston, it was with San Jose, after a trade on November 30, 2005, that he truly found his greatest success, spending 15 seasons with the Sharks.

Thornton holds the top spot in Sharks history with 804 assists, ranks second with 1,055 points, third with 1,104 games played, and fourth with 251 goals.