Underappreciated Sharks Star Joe Thornton Keeps Chugging Along

On and off the ice, Joe Thornton has always been one to share.

With a helper on Joe Pavelski's third period game-winning goal in Winnipeg on Monday night, the often underappreciated San Jose Sharks centre became the 13th player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-assist mark. The elusive milestone is a testament to Thornton's longevity and consistency, and also makes it undeniable that Jumbo Joe is one of the most skilled and talented playmakers the game has ever seen—certainly during his era.

As generous as Thornton has been with the puck throughout his career, he's built a reputation of being just as unselfish off the ice. His humility and constant willingness to take blame while giving the credit to teammates has been a staple of Thornton's persona, and that was once again on full display as he chatted with reporters just moments after accomplishing the achievement.

"Honestly, I've been lucky enough to stay healthy all these years and play with a lot of good scorers. For a passer that's probably the key—it's just having the Jonathan Cheechoos, the Glen Murrays, the Joe Pavelskis, you know, the Patty Marleaus," he said after Monday's game.

Another milestone puck to add to Joe Thornton's collection. #Jumbo1000 pic.twitter.com/7EKxDr1e79
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 7, 2017

Thornton clearly feels fortunate to have played with some top-end, elite goal scorers, but it's those teammates and wingers who should truly feel grateful for having had the opportunity to skate alongside one of the best pure passers to ever hit the ice. Since being dealt to San Jose during the 2005-06 season, Thornton has been a point-per-game player, posting 928 points in 900 games. Not only has he been a force for San Jose throughout his 12 years with the team, he's been one of the game's most productive offensive players and a mainstay on Team Canada in international tournaments.

The six-time All-Star currently sits No. 23 on the all-time points list with 1,382 and ranks No. 26 with an average of 0.698 assists per game. Thornton has reached the 100-point mark in a season three times during his career, including a career-high 125 (with 96 assists) during the 2005-06 campaign en route to his first and only Hart and Art Ross trophies. With most likely at least another season to look forward to, it's totally feasible that the London, Ontario, native could climb as high as 10th on the all-time assists list before it's all said and done—a spot currently held by LA Kings legend Marcel Dionne, who had 1,040 helpers in his career.

Though he's on pace for just 52 points this season, which would be the second-lowest total of his career, the 37-year-old has proven he can still produce as he plays a key role on a Sharks team that sits first place in the Pacific Division and is in prime position to return to the Stanley Cup Final, as it did a year ago. In a new-aged game preaching puck possession and faceoff wins, Thornton boasts an above-average 56.7 Corsi at five-on-five over the past four seasons, while his 55.4 faceoff percentage since 2010 ranks in the top third league-wide.

For whatever reason, perhaps because he's not a prolific goal scorer, Thornton has always sort of been underrated and underappreciated, which was evident again in January when he was snubbed from the NHL's "100 Greatest Players" list. He was an obvious selection, like Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, but the committee elected to exclude the pair for less worthy players.

Thornton surely won't be overlooked when it comes time to enshrine him in the Hockey Hall of Fame in a few years time, though. All 12 players ahead of Big Joe on the all-time assists list have been inducted, and his career numbers and accolades strongly suggest he won't be the one to break that trend once he hangs them up.

One man, one beard, and 1,000 assists. All that's missing (for now, anyway) is one Stanley Cup.