Scott Thornton
Scott Thornton
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Scott Thornton is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, coach, and current sports analyst.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: April 15, 1966 (age 57)
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: Canadian
Profession: Ice Hockey Player, Coach, Sports Analyst
Early Life and Background
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Scott Thornton was born on April 15, 1966, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Growing up in a family of athletes, he developed a passion for hockey from an early age. His father, Alton "Lefty" Thornton, played minor league hockey in the Western Hockey League.
Thornton's hockey career began at a young age, playing for various junior and amateur teams in Alberta. He eventually made his way to the University of Michigan, where he played college hockey for three seasons before turning professional.
Major Accomplishments
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Thornton's professional career spanned over 15 years, during which he played for several NHL teams, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers. He won a Stanley Cup championship with the Hurricanes in 2006.
As a player, Thornton was known for his physical style of play, earning him the nickname "Scotty Too Hotty." He accumulated over 2,000 penalty minutes throughout his career, ranking him among the top 20 players in NHL history in that category.
Notable Works or Actions
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Thornton's most notable achievement as a player came during the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, where he scored two goals against the Carolina Hurricanes, helping the Edmonton Oilers secure their first championship since 1990. Unfortunately, the goal was later disallowed due to an offside call.
In addition to his playing career, Thornton has worked as a sports analyst for various media outlets, including Hockey Night in Canada and Sportsnet. He brings a unique perspective to the world of hockey, drawing from his experiences as both a player and coach.
Impact and Legacy
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Thornton's impact on the sport of hockey cannot be overstated. As one of the toughest players of his generation, he set an example for future players with his physical style of play. His leadership and dedication to the game have made him a respected figure in the hockey community.
As a coach, Thornton has worked with several junior teams, helping to develop young players and pass on his knowledge of the game. His experience as both a player and coach has given him a unique understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Thornton is widely quoted and remembered for his toughness and willingness to drop the gloves in defense of his teammates. He was known for his ability to get under opponents' skin, often drawing ire from opposing players and coaches.
In addition to his on-ice accomplishments, Thornton's charisma and sense of humor have made him a beloved figure among fans and media alike. His post-playing career as a sports analyst has only added to his legacy, as he continues to share his insights and knowledge with the hockey world.
Thornton's story serves as an inspiration to anyone who has ever laced up a pair of skates or put on a helmet in pursuit of their dreams. He is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and a never-say-die attitude.
Quotes by Scott Thornton
He brings a lot of respect to our team. I think other teams are going to have to back off a little bit more, and then the combination of him and Patty on our power play is going to be great.
It was a missed opportunity. We put a lot of pressure on him, there was a lot of commotion, but we couldn't get our sticks on rebounds and the puck seemed to bounce the other way.
It was an important game and we lost. We worked hard, but there were a couple of bounces on a few shots that I wouldn't say were strong goals -- they were weak goals -- but we can't let that get us down. We have to come back Tuesday night (against Anaheim in San Jose), and it's going to be even more important.
It's been a long time waiting for this. Obviously, last year's lockout was tough on everybody. You tend to get sick of the shinny hockey twice a week. It's nice to finally get through the exhibition season and get under way.
It seems to be the pattern out here in the West. A lot of teams play really the way we played a couple years ago. It should be a system we're familiar looking at so we just have to match the work ethic.
They have great fans who really get behind them. I'm sure they're more confident at home. But I'm not a big believer of that in the playoffs. I don't really care where we are or what's going on. When the puck drops you play. (Today) is obviously important for us to get back on track.
At times we worked hard, we had some individuals working hard, but we also had some passengers. We can't have that at this time of the year.
It was a little bit of a transition year for me learning how to play Ron Wilson-style hockey. It's different than anything I was ever used to. It's a lot of hard work, but I think I got a handle on it by the end of the year. This year I'm looking forward to a great start.
We had the heart and we knew that we could beat them. We showed that in the fourth quarter like that they had that 10-point lead to start the second half. We knew that if we just kept working at it that we could beat them and we almost did. It's just a really tough loss.
We miss him. But we all know he's got to get healthy, especially in his capacity and make sure he's really fresh when he gets back.