Boston Sports Then and Now

Thornton's dedication is a huge boost for the Bruins.

Many observers outside of  Boston do not seem to understand Bruins fans love affair with gritty forward Shawn Thornton. To those not familiar with the fan favorite he is just another tough guy, always willing to drop the gloves and put on a show. To the Bruins and their fans, Shawn Thornton is so much more.

Shawn Thornton is not the flashiest player. He is not going to score thirty goals or compete for an Art Ross Trophy but what Boston’s resident law maker does is bring a sense of pride, hard work and grit to a Bruins lineup that sometimes does not take those values to heart. He is a leader by example, playing the way all hockey players should play with a deceptive skill set one would not expect from a “tough guy.”

Thornton has set career highs this season while scoring ten goals and nineteen points, his first double digit goal season highlighting the skill set that is often masked by his willingness to drop the gloves to stick up for a teammate or defend his team’s honor.

His hustle and never say die attitude every shift often sets the tempo for his team, with his infectious energy spreading to the rest of his line. Boston’s opening goal Wednesday night against the Islanders was the definition of how Thornton plays the game.

Thornton, Campbell and Paille were the only line showing any heart or pride in a miserable first period. Julien threw them over the boards as the clock was winding down and they again went to work. They ran all over the Islanders with Campbell and Paille battling as Thornton forced his way to the front of the Islanders net. Goalie Rick DiPietro went down as Thornton took a pass and buried it with one-tenth of  a second left on the clock.

Thornton’s opening goal with less than a second on the clock was typical Thornton. He was a demon on the puck all period and his tireless work ethic and no quit attitude set the tone for a Bruins team that was virtually ineffective and sleepy when Thornton’s line was not on the ice. The Bruins did not beat the Islanders. Thornton’s line beat the Islanders and the rest of the team was just lucky they were there.

“Yeah, I bet it was killing him missing those last three games. But he was healing and I know he understood but to have him back and to get a goal that quick, I‘m sure he‘s really excited to get that in there,” said Daniel Paille.

Prior to the game Thornton was presented with the Eddie Shore Award, an end of the season award given to a player who best shows “exceptional hustle and determination,” traits Thornton exemplifies night in and night out. The roar Thornton received from the crowd when the award was announced left little doubt about whether or not the fans thought the right man got the award.

After missing a few games because of a deep laceration that required forty stitches, Thornton came out like a man possessed. He clearly missed being on the ice and was playing with fire, signs of a true on ice leader.

“It felt good to get back in there. I guess I have to credit our assistant coaches for getting my hands going while I was gone and Tuukka Rask for letting me score on him for the last week,” Thornton cracked post game.

Thornton, ever the team player, did little to put the focus on himself and instead continued to shower praise on his linemates.

“Our line did a {heck} of a job tonight. Piesy [Daniel Paille] and Soup [Gregory Campbell] were all over the puck on that goal. Just a lot of hard work from those guys and the puck ended up popping out to me at the back door. It wasn‘t that tough. Piesy made a great play there.”

Thornton’s career year did not go unnoticed by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association either. After years of toiling in the minors with the Chicago Blackhawks organization, Thornton won a Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 before signing with the Bruins that offseason.

His dedication to his craft earned him a nomination for the Bill Masterton Trophy, presented annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perserverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. The ultra competitive, hard working Thornton never seeks accolades but is finally getting some much deserved recognition.

The rugged winger also leads off the ice, speaking up when something needs to be said and keeping things loose and fun on the bench when situations are getting a bit too tense. Thornton literally does it all for the Bruins and fans and teammates alike love having him in Boston.

Thornton’s underrated game and grit bring more value to a team than can be accurately measured. He is so much more than fists of fury. He is a motivator, a hard worker, a ball of energy and a player with good scoring hands, even though he does not always get the opportunity to show that side of his game. Teams win Stanley Cups with good goaltending and skill but teams do not win Stanley Cups without players like Shawn Thornton and the Bruins are lucky to have him.