Former Boston Bruins Shawn Thornton has put roots here in Beantown. He’s got a home in Charlestown (which Kevan Miller was living in all last season). He’s made it clear that Boston will be his home after he retires (possibly at the end of this season), and has done an awful lot to make himself part of the community.
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A few years back, Thornton founded the Shawn Thornton Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to help in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and cancer. Since day one, Thornton has proved that his organization is serious in fighting these diseases. This year, his organization has been exceptionally prolific. Thornton has tirelessly made appearances and presentations throughout the summer.
Last month, the Shawn Thornton Foundation hit a home run at Fenway Park, delivering a fifty thousand dollar donation to the Jimmy Fund. Today, Shawn Thornton stopped by Boston Children’s Hospital to drop off another fifty-thousand dollar check.
ST22 proudly presenting a $50k donation to @BostonChildrens today. #bostonchildrenshospital pic.twitter.com/VYhTNAGWXj
— Shawn Thornton FDN (@ThorntonFDN) September 1, 2015
When Shawn Thornton first came to Boston as a free agent back in 2007, he was known for solid physical play. As his role matured in Boston, he became the team’s unofficial enforcer. In his seven years wearing the Black and Gold, he did a lot more for the team than his thirty-four goals would indicate. He was the physical presence that kept other teams honest. He became a player that did a lot more than grind down time on the fourth line. He became the spine of the Merlot Line (along with Daniel Paille and Gregory Campbell), and for a few years, they were regarded as the best fourth line in the NHL.
Puck Prose
Thornton is a blue-collar player. During those seven seasons, he became respected than revered due to his hard work and dedication. The Boston community eagerly accepted him as one of their own, even though he claimed to be nothing more than a ‘Canadian with a green card’.
Thornton will be heading off into the sunset(in his case Sunrise) in a few days to get ready for the Florida Panthers season. Hopefully, the Bruins organization will acknowledge Thornton’s work over the years by allowing him to retire (or keep playing) as a member of the Bruins organization.