Logging on to my computer on a chilly afternoon two years ago, a sports headline caught my immediate attention: Boston Bruins Star Joe Thornton Traded.
My first impression was, "What a stupid move by the Bruins."
I did not yet know which team acquired Thornton. When I clicked on the link and found out he was coming to the San Jose Sharks -- my favorite team -- I was at a loss for words.
Joe Thornton came to the Sharks in November 2005 and almost single-handedly turned the team around. Perhaps foreshadowing the turnaround the Sharks would take that season, Thornton came within inches of scoring in his first shift as a Shark, hitting the crossbar on his first attempted shot.
Since that first shot, Thornton has established the Sharks as a Stanley Cup contender, for now and the immediate future.
Last week, the Joe Thornton era in San Jose was extended to at least the 2011 season when the San Jose Sharks awarded Thornton a 3-year contract extension. He'll earn $7.2 million each season.
I have nothing but praise for Doug Wilson, general manager of the Sharks, for getting this contract extension done before Thornton becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer. Thornton could have demanded a hefty raise from the Sharks or he could have signed with a team elsewhere.
That $7.2 million will be the best money the Sharks ever spent.
What some may not know about the contract is that it's only $500,000 more than what Thornton earned before signing. There is no doubt Thornton gave the Sharks a "home-team discount."
With Thornton getting such a minimal raise, the message to Sharks faithful is that Thornton has a desire to win in San Jose. He recognizes the young talent the Sharks have in Patrick Marleau, Jonathan Cheechoo and company, and he wants to win a Stanley Cup here in San Jose.
Initially, Thornton gave me the idea he would rather be somewhere else when he first joined the Sharks. However, in a couple of months, the entire story changed. Thornton realized that he loves playing in California. Thornton's signing expressed his desire to play for nobody else but the Sharks.
Thornton is one of the most dynamic players on the ice, and can change a game single-handedly by setting up scoring opportunities and converting Tic-Tac-Joes.
More importantly, Thornton makes his teammates better. Thornton has led the league in assists for the past two seasons. An assist means Thornton isn't doing the scoring, he's making the passes that lead up to the shot that goes into the back of the net. He is the first player to have back-to-back 90-plus assist seasons since hockey greats Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.
In his first season with the Sharks, Thornton helped Jonathan Cheechoo win the Rocket Richard Trophy as the top goal scorer of the season. He had a hand in team captain Patrick Marleau establishing career-high statistics. He's aided the speedy development of the young defensive corps of the San Jose Sharks. He's even assisted the success of goalies Evgeni Nabokov and Vesa Toskala with his defensive play and offensive contributions.
Another bonus: Thornton is only 28, which is young by hockey standards. Most hockey players don't peak until their early thirties. It is scary to think that Thornton will just get better.
In signing Thornton, the Sharks gained not just an extraordinary hockey player, but also a centerpiece for the franchise. As long as Thornton is on the team, the Sharks can build a winning team around him.
Re-signing Thornton to another contract will also benefit the city of San Jose. For many years, San Jose officials have been trying to put the city on the national map. Thornton helped gain national attention for San Jose when he won the Art Ross trophy, for leading the league in points, and the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the Most Valuable Player of the National Hockey League.
Thornton has not only established the San Jose Sharks in the hockey world, he's brought credibility to West Coast hockey.
With Thornton locked up until the 2011 season, there will be plenty more of Tic-Tac-Joes to come in San Jose and, with any luck, a future Stanley Cup championship.