Thornton, Chara, Keith lead class of 2025 into Hockey Hall of Fame

Joe Thornton always did things his way.

Larger than life on the ice and away from the rink, the big forward with a radiating personality, elite vision, soft hands and a sparkling smile has been unapologetically unique ever since stepping into the NHL spotlight at age 18.

Now the man affectionately known as "Jumbo Joe" is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Thornton was inducted Monday alongside fellow 2025 class members Zdeno Chara, Duncan Keith, Alexander Mogilny, Jennifer Botterill and Brianna Decker in the player category.

Jack Parker and Danièle Sauvageau were enshrined as builders.

Selected with the first pick at the 1997 draft by the Boston Bruins, Thornton's trajectory really took off after a trade to the San Jose Sharks. The St. Thomas, Ont., product spent 14 seasons in California, winning the scoring title and Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2005-06, and was just the third player all-time to lead the NHL in assists three straight campaigns.

"As long as I can remember, my year consisted of going from road hockey right to the backyard rink," Thornton said in a tear-filled speech. "There was only one season for me — it was hockey season.

Thornton topped San Jose in scoring eight times, including five straight seasons, and helped the Sharks make the 2016 Stanley Cup final.

The 46-year-old, who played 24 NHL seasons and won Olympic gold with Canada on home soil in 2010, put up 1,539 points in 1,714 regular-season games in a career that ended with pit stops with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. He finished 12th all-time in scoring, seventh in assists and sixth in games played.

"You can't say enough amazing things about him," Leafs captain Auston Matthews said over the weekend. "He's a one-of-one kind of guy