What Can This Team Learn From Joe Thornton?

The San Jose Sharks’ 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres came on a day filled with emotional significance, as the franchise honored one of its all-time greats, Joe Thornton, by raising his No. 19 jersey into the rafters. On a night meant to celebrate the legacy of Thornton, the Sharks couldn’t pull off a victory, leaving fans to wonder: What can this team learn from Joe Thornton’s ability to keep pushing forward, even in the face of adversity?

Joe Thornton, fondly known as “Jumbo,” had a long and storied career in San Jose, one defined not only by his elite playmaking ability and leadership on the ice but also by his resilience in handling the ups and downs of the game. His influence extended beyond his skillset—he had an incredible ability to move on from mistakes and setbacks. This ability to let go of frustrations and focus on the next play is something that could be invaluable for a Sharks team that has been struggling to find consistency this season.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier, reflecting on Thornton’s impact, pointed out how vital it is for players to avoid letting one bad play snowball into further mistakes. “It’s a great trait to have, not just young guys, for everyone, to not let one bad shift turn into three bad shifts, turn into a bad period, turn into a bad game, and the next bad game,” Grier said before the Sharks’ Legends Game. “That’s something I think our group can learn, and it’s a skill that Jumbo had in spades.”

It’s easy to overlook this trait, but when you look at the Sharks’ performance against the Sabres, you can see how the inability to move past mistakes is something that can hinder their success. The Sharks, after holding a 2-1 lead going into the third period, allowed the Sabres to come back and take control of the game, eventually losing 4-2. This sort of collapse has been a recurring issue for the Sharks—blowing leads, failing to capitalize on scoring chances, and struggling to maintain composure under pressure. The resilience to fight through those challenges is something that has been a hallmark of Thornton’s career and could be a valuable lesson for this group of Sharks.

The loss to Buffalo was not just a missed opportunity for a victory but a reminder that this team is still learning how to deal with adversity. The frustration was evident on the ice, with players like Macklin Celebrini visibly upset after missing key scoring opportunities. But this frustration, as shared by the Sharks’ coaching staff, is a sign of passion—a passion that, when channeled properly, can drive success. Ryan Warsofsky, one of the Sharks’ assistant coaches, spoke about Celebrini’s emotional nature, emphasizing that it’s part of the competitive drive that fuels players to get better and push their teams forward. “He’s a competitor. He wants to win. He wants to do well,” Warsofsky said of Celebrini. “Sometimes when it doesn’t happen, you get frustrated. That’s life.”

While frustration is a natural reaction, the key is what happens after that frustration. Does it lead to a better performance the next time out, or does it create a negative feedback loop? This is where Joe Thornton’s legacy can provide some guidance. As Warsofsky mentioned, it’s important not to let frustration derail the process. Thornton was a master of turning the page quickly, moving on from a bad shift or a missed opportunity and refocusing on the next play. This mindset is something the Sharks could greatly benefit from, especially with a young player like Celebrini, who will inevitably face more moments of frustration as he develops in the NHL.

Celebrini’s emotional response to his missed opportunities against the Sabres was indicative of his drive to succeed, but also of his need to develop the mental toughness that Thornton displayed throughout his career. Celebrini’s words after the game reflected his self-awareness, acknowledging that he missed some crucial scoring chances that could have shifted the momentum in the Sharks’ favor. “I need to be better. I need to put those in when I get them,” Celebrini admitted. “You’re not going to get those every game. Some of the looks I had, I gotta capitalize on them.”

This realization is an important step in Celebrini’s growth as a player, but it’s also a reminder of how unforgiving the NHL can be. In those moments, it’s essential to learn how to reset, to let go of mistakes, and to focus on the next opportunity. Thornton, with his calm demeanor and positive approach to the game, was a perfect example of how to keep moving forward, even when things didn’t go as planned.

Thornton’s impact extended beyond his on-ice performance, and his approach to the game rubbed off on those around him, including his teammates. Barclay Goodrow, who played alongside Thornton during their time in San Jose, reflected on the small but important lessons he learned from the veteran. Goodrow recalled how Thornton always seemed to appreciate the privilege of being able to play the game they loved. “He was a guy that would just appreciate how lucky we are to be able to do what we love for a living. We get to play hockey, have fun, be around our teammates every day. He never took that for granted,” Goodrow said. “It’s something he didn’t have to teach anyone, but you could just learn from him that we truly do have the best job. It’s maybe easy to get down some days, but he always came to rink with the best attitude. Just ready to work and just ready to work hard and get better.”

This perspective is something the Sharks could benefit from as well. Despite the struggles they’ve faced this season, they are still fortunate to be playing in the NHL, competing at the highest level of professional hockey. It’s easy to get bogged down by losses or by individual mistakes, but the attitude that Goodrow described is exactly what this team needs to adopt more consistently. Approaching each day with a mindset of gratitude and determination, as Thornton did throughout his career, can help alleviate some of the pressure and allow the players to focus on what they can control.

Fabian Zetterlund, who had his own emotional moment celebrating Thornton’s legacy during the ceremony, echoed the sentiment of respect for the veteran’s contributions to the game. Zetterlund, whose goal celebration was in the spirit of Thornton’s playful nature, said, “It’s his day, and it was for him. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get the win.” Zetterlund’s words highlight the sense of responsibility that the players feel to honor Thornton’s legacy by continuing to push forward, even in difficult times. While the loss to the Sabres was disappointing, it was clear that the players understood the significance of the occasion and the lessons they could take from Thornton’s career.

For the Sharks, the path forward will require a combination of mental toughness, resilience, and the ability to let go of mistakes quickly. Whether it’s Celebrini dealing with missed chances, or other players learning how to better manage frustration, the team can look to Thornton as an example of how to remain steady and focused on the next play. The importance of not letting one bad shift or one missed opportunity snowball into further mistakes cannot be overstated.

However, the Sharks’ loss to the Sabres on a night dedicated to Joe Thornton is a reminder of the challenges the team faces this season. But it also serves as an opportunity to reflect on what can be learned from one of the franchise’s greatest players. Thornton’s ability to stay even-keeled, to turn the page and stay focused on what comes next, is something the Sharks would do well to adopt. With players like Celebrini and others still growing and learning, there’s potential for this team to find its rhythm and build on the lessons that Thornton’s career has left behind.