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.

Joe Thornton tears up while remembering the bond he shared with his former teammate for so many years.

Joe Thornton lifted up the Sharks and the people around the team. Now, they get to return the favor, lifting his jersey to the SAP Center rafters.

In the meantime, he is mentoring 18-year-old forward Macklin Celebrini, selected No. 1 by the Sharks at the 2024 NHL Draft in June. Celebrini is spending his rookie season living with the Thorntons and is embracing every part of the experience.

On Saturday night, the San Jose Sharks officially retired Joe Thornton’s No. 19. In a ceremony held before the team’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, former teammates and friends came out to honor Thornton.