Now in his 21st season, Joe Thornton continues to prove he belongs in the Hall of Fame when his long, storied NHL career comes to an end.
A week after he netted his 400th career goal, the 39-year-old tied Mario Lemieux for 11th on the all-time assist list with number 1,033.
In the first period of Tuesday's game against Edmonton, the center had the puck along the boards behind the Oilers net. He lost the puck for a second, regrouped, looked and fed Marcus Sorensen — who was five when Thornton began his career — for the goal.
Thornton, who needed 591 more games than the Hall of Famer Lemieux to accomplish the mark, now has 1,433 points and is 16th on the all-time points list.
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The first overall pick in 1997, Thornton collected 285 of his assists with the Bruins before being traded to San Jose on Nov. 30, 2005 — almost 13 years ago to the day.
Despite being traded from the place he called home for eight seasons, he ended the 2005-06 season with a league-best 96 assists, 125 points and the Art Ross and Hart Memorial Trophies. His 96 assists rank as the 16th-best in a single season in NHL history, and his 92 assists the following year is tied for 21st with three players, including Lemieux.
In 13 games this season, he now has three assists and six points. After he passes Lemieux, up next would be Marcel Dionne at 1,040.