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San Jose Sharks

Joe Thornton never lost faith in San Jose Sharks on way to Stanley Cup final

Kevin Allen
USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH – Everyone else may have lost faith in the San Jose Sharks. But Joe Thornton never did.

San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton skates with the puck during the second period in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.

“I always believed next year was going to be the year,” Thornton said. “I always thought we were a couple of pieces away. Even last year, not making the playoffs, I honestly thought we were a couple of pieces away and here we are.”

The San Jose Sharks are celebrating their 25th anniversary with their first trip to the Stanley Cup Final against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and not many people saw this coming.

Maybe we should have.

For many years, the Sharks have been cast as a symbol of playoff frustration. They were a talented team that couldn’t take the step needed to reach the championship series. In sports, that’s the definition of failure.

But the Sharks have always been more successful than their reputation suggested. Before missing the playoffs in 2015, they made the playoffs for 10 consecutive seasons, reaching the conference final three times. They played in 20 playoff series and won 58 games.

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What happened this season is that they added the “pieces” that Thornton was waiting for in goalie Martin Jones, forward Joel Ward and defenseman Paul Martin. Plus, Peter DeBoer was hired as the new coach. Joe Pavelski became the team’s captain.  After everyone became comfortable with the changes, the team became more resilient, more confident and more playoff ready.

“It’s not something you can just do,” defenseman Brent Burns said. “It just kind of happens."

Jones upgraded the team’s goaltending, and Martin has been a perfect partner for Burns. “He’s such a smart player, and he’s an unbelievable passer,” Burns said.

DeBoer has found a way to empower the Sharks, particularly Burns who is enjoying best season of his career.

“There are many times we will leave a meeting when (DeBoer) talks to us, and players talk among themselves and say, ‘It’s pretty smart, what he just said,'” Burns said. “He gives you a smack when we need it and he can pump us up when we need it.”

Players say the team came together late into the season and into the playoffs.

“I have to disagree with our players a little,” DeBoer said. “I think we hit our stride earlier than just recently. I really thought the second half the season, from January on, we started to play the way I envisioned us playing. We got the proper people slotted in the right spots. Wilson went out there and got us some key guys in key positions that allowed us to get that depth. From that point on, I really liked our game. It carried over into the playoffs. Every round, every time you beat a great team, that confidence grows.”

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At 37, Thornton is playing like he is 27. “He has done it every year,” Burns said of Thornton.   “We talk how crazy it is that he is starting to get a little bit of credit. He is one of the best players ever to play the game, and he’s also one of the best teammates to play with.”

Thornton and fellow Sharks forward Patrick Marleau have taken the brunt of the criticism when the Sharks have failed to reach the Stanley Cup Final. Marleau has been with the team since 1997-98 and Thornton has been in San Jose since 2005-06. The Sharks are genuinely pleased to be able to help them get there.

“To play as long as they have and be on some good teams, to finally break through is finally nice to get there,” Pavelski said. “(But) it’s not just about getting here. We want more. They know that.”

Thornton swears he has never let the criticism wear him down.

“If you know me you know it doesn’t affect me,” Thornton said. “I know I’m a great player. I know we’ve had some great teams. It just hasn’t mixed. It takes 20 guys.”

These days, Thornton and his Civil War-style bushy beard are symbols of the Sharks’ playoff surge.

He says the beard is “day-to-day.”

“I could come in tomorrow and it will be gone or 10 years from now I still may have it,” Thornton said.

Burns also owns a flowing beard, and he mentors Thornton on beard grooming. He provides Thornton with combs and oils.

“It looks pretty, but it’s a lot of hard work,” Thornton said, laughing.

The same can be said about the Sharks' playoff success this season.

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