Playing career game No. 1,455, Joe Thornton moved into the top 20 in all-time NHL scoring with a goal against the team that selected him first overall way back in 1997.
That is career point No. 1,398, which ties him with Jari Kurri and into the top 20. Next up on the list is Dale Hawerchuk at 1,409 points, so it’s a good bet Thornton moves up another spot within the next several weeks.
Seems like appropriate timing given the opponent.
The Bruins selected Thornton with the first pick in the 1997 NHL Draft. He played more than seven seasons in Boston before getting dealt to San Jose during the 2005-06 campaign.
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Cam Tucker is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @CamTucker_Sport.