'I'm Never Retiring': Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Looks Back on Playing With Joe Thornton, Who Joked That He Would Never Hang Up His Skates

Thornton last played in the NHL during the 2022 NHL Playoffs with the Florida Panthers but waited until this past weekend to officially announce his retirement

The 44-year-old spent one season with the Maple Leafs in 2021. It was the COVID-season that saw the Canadian teams play in the temporarily-created 'North Division' featuring only Canadian teams.

Despite restrictions, it didn't stop 'Jumbo' from being up to his usual antics. 

Thornton developed a close friendship with both Matthews and Mitch Marner.

"It was awesome to spend even one year with him and we got a great relationship," Matthews said. "We keep in touch and talk a lot."

Even after they were teammates, Matthews and Thornton hung out together for a few Vegas trips, including attending UFC 264.

During his time with the Leafs, Thornton became the oldest player to score a goal for the franchise (41 years, 303 days). Given how things are going in the NHL, that record may stick for a while with the oldest player in the league (Mark Giordano) having just turned 40. 

Despite his age, Matthews said Thornton exhibited youthful traits with Toronto.

"He's always such high energy."

Thornton was one of several veterans who have cycled into the Maple Leafs over the course of the last few years. He joined Patrick Marleau and Jason Spezza as others who helped Toronto's younger core of players like Matthews get adjusted to the demands of an NHL schedule in their earlier years.

"He enjoys every day at the rink regardless of what’s happening. The NHL is a daunting league whether it's a schedule or your opponent, or the expectations, or whatever it might be," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Thornton. "Joe's very consistent in maximizing and enjoying every day. So, I do think that’s part of that. You still just feel privileged to have been a part of it."