Celebrini is probably a little way off before he starts to wear a letter for the Sharks, but it seems to be a safe bet that he’ll be the team’s captain one day. When that happens, he’ll have to start to take charge of the room, holding guys accountable while also making sure the team’s culture is where it needs to be – just like Thornton did.

With his pinpoint passing, infectious joy and signature beard, Joe Thornton became the face of the Sharks franchise and was honored with his No. 19 jersey being raised to the rafters.

His jersey retirement ceremony Saturday was an opportunity for his former San Jose teammates to dish out the compliments for his play, leadership, and friendship in tributes that repeatedly forced him to wipe away tears on an emotional afternoon.

Joe Thornton's iconic No. 19 is officially in the rafters of the SAP Center, and the greatest San Jose Sharks player of all time has now become the second player in team history to earn the honor of a retired jersey number.

Now, with Thornton having announced his retirement last year after finishing as the Sharks' all-time leader in assists (804), second in points (1,055) and third in games played (1,104), this was the chance for a fanbase and a community to say thank you.

Everybody in the hockey world knows about Joe Thornton. But a few were lucky enough to know him off of the ice, and even fewer knew him on the ice. On the eve of the San Jose Sharks retiring Joe Thornton’s No.

Sharks fans are getting ready to honor a legend on the ice as the team and the city are holding a “Joe Thornton Retirement Weekend.”

On Saturday night, the San Jose Sharks officially retired Joe Thornton’s No. 19. In a ceremony held before the team’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, former teammates and friends came out to honor Thornton. For one last time through the Shark Head: Joe Thornton. #19ForeverTeal x #GreatestOfAllTeal pic.twitter.com/lFgzQOEX2T