SAN JOSE — San Jose Sharks fans showed up in droves to SAP Center on Saturday to pay tribute to one of hockey’s all-time greats, larger-than-life personality “Jumbo” Joe Thornton.

(AP) — Joe Thornton spent a career setting ... “The best thing hockey ever gave me — friends for life,” Thornton said during a lengthy speech that included thanks to his former teammates ...

SAN JOSE-- If ever there was a perfect nickname for a larger-than-life character, it would be "Jumbo." Jumbo Joe Thornton is all of that. And then some. It’s a point San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan ...

The series includes Backyard Baseball, Backyard Basketball, Backyard Football (American football), Backyard Soccer, Backyard Hockey (Ice ... Alex Rodriguez, Joe Thornton and Andy Macdonald.

Thornton ended his speech — which also included shoutouts to longtime teammates Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau — with a nod to the hockey faithful in San Jose. “Thank you, Sharks fans ...

SAN JOSE --There was a stylish top hat on his head, glistening sparkles on his dark suit and tears trickling down into his bushy salt-and-pepper beard as Joe Thornton emerged through the iconic ...

Joe Thornton spent a career setting ... “The best thing hockey ever gave me — friends for life,” Thornton said during a lengthy speech that included thanks to his former teammates, coaches ...

Joe Thornton spent a career setting ... away tears on an emotional afternoon. "The best thing hockey ever gave me — friends for life," Thornton said during a lengthy speech that included thanks ...