SAN JOSE — Joe Thornton said it will be neat to join one of the most exclusive clubs in hockey. But like so many of the game’s greats, he’s reticent to go into great detail about soon becoming only the 13th NHL player to record 1,000 assists.
“When I hit it, I’ll kind of peek and see who’s on that list,” Thornton said last week. “It’s a nice accomplishment, I guess.”
Some of the players who have been linemates with Thornton over the years will freely discuss what he as meant to their careers. But they don’t have to articulate much, either.