The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they have signed former Boston Bruins and star center to a one-year deal for $700,000.
Thornton finished last season with seven goals and 24 assists in 70 games for the Sharks.
The 41-year-old has played 22 seasons in the NHL. The Boston Bruins took him first overall in the 1997 NHL draft, and he proceeded to score 169 goals and 285 assists in seven-plus seasons with the B's, who traded him to the San Jose Sharks during the 2005-06 season. Thornton won the Hart Memorial Trophy and Art Ross Trophy that year.