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.

"San Jose is his city and the Sharks are his team," former teammate Joe Pavelski said in his first public appearance at the Shark Tank since retiring last season in Dallas. Thornton played 1,714 regular-season games over his career, recording 1,109 assists ...

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.

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.

Sharks legend Joe Thornton's jersey retirement ceremony officially staked his claim as a franchise legend, while offering blissful nostalgia of the franchises golden era.

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

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.