This home white knit gamer by CCM was worn by Joe Thornton during his 1st season with the Soo St. Marie Greyhounds, and thus the first of his career. Thornton was the 1st overall draft pick in the 1997 NHL entry draft by the Boston Bruins. Joe began his career in Beantown and played his first 7+ seasons with the club before a trade on November 30th, 2005 sent him packing to San Jose. Thornton has remained a member of the Sharks ever since and is now in his 6th season with the team. Viewed as one of the NHL’s premier players, Joe has averaged better than a point per game thus far in his NHL career. Thru the end of the 2009-10 season, Thornton had tabbed 931 points in 915 games played. Thornton’s finest season came in 2005-06, the year that he was dealt in season to San Jose. Joe became the 1st player ever traded during a season to go onto win the scoring title (Art Ross trophy) and the Most Valuable Player Award (Hart Trophy). That season Joe tallied 125 points en route to capturing those prestigious awards. Joe was 3-times a 1st or 2nd Team NHL All Star and has played in more than a handful of NHL All Star games. Thornton has also represented Team Canada in the World Cup of Hockey as well as the Olympics.

This pre-rookie sweater features solid game wear that includes loads of stick marks, board burns, board paint transfer and inner pilling. On the crest resides a black sharpie signature in Thornton’s own hand. This jersey was worn during Thornton’s rookie season, a year that saw him named to the OHL All Rookie Team. Joe was also named the OHL Rookie of the Year as well as the Canadian Major Junior Junior Rookie of the Year. A tremendous offering that was worn by this perennial All Star during his pre-NHL days.