THORNTON EAGER FOR NEXT STEP IN CAREER
The Panthers’ gain will be Boston’s loss. The Florida franchise made it official Thursday that Shawn Thornton, the Bruins’ former on- and off-ice leader, is done as a player and will become a member of the team’s front office — with the august title of vice president, business operations.
In years past, Thornton envisioned one possible post-hockey career path as a return to Boston to work in the sports media, radio or television. But early in his final NHL season, he was offered the front office position by Panthers president and CEO Matthew Caldwell.
“I’ll be doing a little bit of everything,” Thornton said when the B’s visited Florida in November. “Community relations, the business side, just learning the whole business.
“I’m excited to begin the next chapter of my career in hockey. The business side of operating an NHL team has always fascinated me.”
Thornton, 39, was one of the most respected and well-liked players to pass through the Bruins locker room in recent memory. After nine seasons in the AHL, he made the NHL for good in 2006-07, winning the Stanley Cup with Anaheim. He then spent seven seasons with the B’s and won a second Cup in 2011. The past three years, he was a part-time player for Florida.
He finished with 705 career NHL games, plus 105 more in the playoffs. He had 42-60-102 totals and 1,103 PIM. Hockeyfights.com lists 169 fights for Thornton.
He founded the Shawn Thornton Foundation, which, “fights to improve the lives of those affected by cancer and Parkinson’s diseases.” The Foundation’s seventh annual Pucks and Punches for Parkinson’s Golf Tournament will be held Aug. 14 at Middleton’s Ferncroft Country Club.