ST. PAUL, Minn. — Joe Thornton made a strong case for a Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy nomination last winter before he suffered a right-knee injury that ended his season on Jan. 23, 2018.
Now, he’s practically a walking embodiment of the award, overcoming two knee surgeries, a major infection, a broken toe and an ankle injury through perseverance and an uncanny passion for the game. Through it all, Thornton, 39, continues to play a major role in the Sharks success, giving the team a depth advantage on the third line, collecting 15 points in 16 games since the all-star break.