Thornton joins longtime teammate Patrick Marleau as the only players to have their jerseys retired by the Sharks. It’s fitting that they are side by side as the entered the NHL as the top two picks in the 1997 draft and spent 13 seasons together in San Jose.

What a surreal moment this must have been for Joe Thornton and his family.

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.

Last night was special for the San Jose Sharks organization as they raised Joe Thornton's No. 19 banner to the rafters, but it meant even more to Macklin Celebrini.

Watching the proceedings on the ice were the present-day Sharks, including the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft Macklin Celebrini, who lives at Thornton’s house. Thornton made sure to thank the 18-year-old center for helping River with his math homework.