He played thirty-three games for the team his rookie season, accumulating one goal and three assists.

He also played left wing for the Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks.

In his first season with San Jose, he had a career year, scoring twenty goals playing alongside gritty centre Mike Ricci.

The first season of the extension coincided with the 2004–05 NHL lockout, and after the second year, Thornton became an unrestricted free agent when the Sharks declined to pick up the one-year team option in his contract.

[3] During the 2006–07 season, Thornton was placed on injured reserve due to a wrist injury and missed 23 games as a result.