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Mike Goldberg Defends Joe Thornton Despite No Stanley Cup
Former NHL announcer Mike Goldberg weighed in on the debate that followed Sharks legend Joe Thornton throughout his career. Thornton built a Hall of Fame resume and achieved individual NHL accolades, but he never captured a Stanley Cup.
Fans often debate whether never hoisting the Cup impacts a player’s legacy. However, Goldberg does not feel that applies to Thornton. ‘Jumbo Joe’ had a long career and maintained a high level of play well into his late 30s.
Thornton led the Sharks to the Stanley Cup finals in 2016 but fell short to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He later left the Sharks to chase a Cup with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers, respectively, but was still unsuccessful.
Goldberg spoke about Thornton’s legacy as a player and said a Stanley Cup shouldn’t define his career.
“Not in [Thornton’s] case. In some [players’ case], yes. He did this and that, but he never won a Cup. I don’t believe it did at all, I really had hoped that he would get one because he was such a great ambassador to the league,” Goldberg said during an appearance on The Game Plan. “I do not believe his legacy was tarnished because you look at the numbers and you look at the assists.”
He added:
“[Thornton could] make other players better, very much like [Adam Oates and Brett Hull] back in the day,” Goldberg said. “Would his legacy be any different with a Cup? Not in my mind. He still put up the numbers and he played with a Stanley Cup attitude year in an year out.”
Mike Goldberg Praises Joe Thornton as a Mentor for Sharks Forward Macklin Celebrini
Mike Goldberg also praised Joe Thornton for being a great mentor to Sharks star forward Macklin Celebrini. The Sharks legend has opened his home and served as a billet for Celebrini. This is a unique scenario that few other teams can offer.
Celebrini, 19, benefits from staying with Thornton by gaining insight into what it takes to be succeed in the NHL. The Sharks legend can pass on strategies that will help navigate challenges throughout the season.
“[Thornton] is definitely having an effect on Macklin Celebrini, because where do you wanna live as a young kid? Where do you want a billet?” Goldberg told The Game Plan. “And I guess Mack helps Joe’s kids with their math and stuff, so it’s really cool.”
Goldberg Recalls Attending Thornton’s Sharks Jersey Retirement Ceremony
Goldberg also recalled attending Thornton’s jersey retirement ceremony when the Sharks honored him last season. The former NHL and UFC announcer has formed strong relationships with some of the players, including Thornton.
Goldberg said he felt honored to be attend the night the Sharks retired Thornton’s jersey. He still treasures the jersey Thornton signed for his son and expressed gratitude to be included in the celebration.
“[Thornton] is my all-time favorite player. His jersey that he signed my son is right there on the other side of my office,” Goldberg told The Game Plan. “We were honored to be there when [the Sharks] hung No. 19 in the rafters at the Shark Tank. And we were part of the ‘Jumbo’ family with our VIP passes. My son and I were like, ‘Let’s go, let’s go,’ and got to see everybody.”
Giancarlo Aulino Giancarlo Aulino is sports writer who covers UFC for Heavy.com. He began writing for Heavy in 2025 after providing MMA coverage for Sportskeeda. Giancarlo is an experienced journalist and interviewer, having covered soccer clubs Toronto FC and Inter Toronto FC as a full-season reporter, and also producing sports coverage for Toronto radio station VIBE 105.5FM.
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