John Thornton is the brother of Joe Thornton, a Canadian professional ice hockey center. Learn more about John in this article.
He plays for the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers (NHL). He was a member of the Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, and Toronto Maple Leafs in the past.
The Bruins selected him first overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, and he spent seven seasons with the team, three of them as captain. He was traded to the Sharks for the 2005–06 season.
Who Is Joe Thornton’s Brother?
Joe Thornton’s brother’s name is John Thornton. Joe grew up playing minor hockey with the St. Thomas Travellers in his birthplace of St. Thomas, Ontario.
He was a member of the Travelers’ “AA” team and won the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) title in peewee hockey in 1992–93.
Thornton joined the “AAA” Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario for the 1993–94 season, his Bantam year being the first for the newly formed “AAA” Elgin-Middlesex Chiefs club.
Thornton began a two-year career with the Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 1995–96. In his rookie season, he scored 76 points and was named OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year.
John Thornton Biography
John holds both a law and a business degree. Joe may be the least academically accomplished of the three Thornton brothers (another sibling).
His older sibling holds a master’s degree as well.
Hockey agent John Thornton sees nothing particularly weird or remarkable between his relationship with his most renowned client and some of his other players. Except for one minor tidbit, that is.
“Being a brother’s agent isn’t that different,” John explained, “but being the brother of a superstar is really (freaking) awesome.”
Since 2006, John and San Jose Sharks star center Joe Thornton have created perhaps the easiest, most workable connection between an agent and a player.
In essence, John negotiates Joe’s transactions, while Joe entrusts his life to his brother.
Who Are John Thornton’s Parents?
John Thornton’s parents are Wayne Thornton and Mary Thornton. John has two siblings: Joe Thornton and Alex Thornton.
After splitting the season between the two teams, Joe received the Art Ross and Hart Memorial Trophies as the league’s best scorer and most valuable player.
Thornton stayed with the Sharks for another 14 seasons, including four as captain and a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016.
Thorton has established himself as one of the league’s top-line centers thanks to his on-ice vision, puck strength, slick passing abilities, and forward power style of play.