SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The folks in Joe Thornton's inner circle are torn. They want outsiders to know the kind of guy Thornton truly is, to learn that the San Jose Sharks center has as big a heart as any superstar in hockey. But they realize he's more than content to keep that part of his personality private.
"He helps people, but it's just to help people, not for other people to find out about it," said his brother, John. "That's the thing."
There might not be a more generous superstar in hockey -- with his time, his money, his willingness to include those around him.