Sharks C Thornton had torn ACL, MCL in right knee

[May 09, 2018]  San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton told reporters Tuesday that the right knee injury he suffered Jan. 23 included full tears of the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.

The team announced Jan. 25 that Thornton had undergone an arthroscopic procedure on the knee to repair a torn MCL, but no news of an ACL tear had since been reported. The 38-year-old was not able to get back on the ice before the Sharks were eliminated from the playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, despite skating and preparing to return to action.

Thornton told reporters that the injury and procedure were "the exact same" as what he dealt with last season in his left knee, when he played the final four games of the team's first-round playoff series defeat to the Edmonton Oilers with a torn ACL and MCL.

The 20-year veteran and pending free agent has played for San Jose since December of 2005 and hopes to continue playing for the Sharks.

"I'm excited for this team," he said. "A lot of guys made big leaps this year and I'm sure teams are always adding new things or trying to at least add new things. So, if you're a Sharks fan, you've got to be excited for this team.

"...It's no secret that I love it here and that I'm a Shark."

Thornton had 13 goals and 23 assists through 47 games in the regular season, averaging more points per game (0.77) than he did in 2016-17 (0.63).

Meanwhile, Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters defenseman Brett Burns had been playing through a back/neck issue and forward Joonas Donskoi has been dealing with hip and foot injuries.

Logan Couture, who led the team in playoff points (12) and regular-season goals (34), told reporters he wants to remain with the Sharks long term. Couture will be entering the final year of his contract next season and is eligible for an extension July 1.

Winger and pending free agent Joel Ward said his "time is up" with the Sharks, but the 37-year-old plans to keep playing. He spent the last three seasons in San Jose after previous stints with the Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild.

--Field Level Media

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