SAN JOSE — San Jose Sharks fans showed up in droves to SAP Center on Saturday to pay tribute to one of hockey’s all-time greats, larger-than-life personality “Jumbo” Joe Thornton. Puckheads throughout the greater Bay Area had the day — now, ...

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.

With his pinpoint passing, infectious joy and signature beard, Joe Thornton became the face of the Sharks franchise and was honored with his No. 19 jersey being raised to the rafters.

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.

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.

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.

Toronto Mape Leafs star Auston Matthews was not inside the arena to witness the jersey retirement in person but he showed his appreciation for Thornton via a social media post on Instagram. “1 of 1! Congrats Jumbo!” Matthews captioned his Instagram Stories post that also showed an image of Thornton’s jersey getting raised to the rafters.

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.