Joe Thornton's off season activities

[talkingcanes]

http://tsn.ca/NHL/news_story.asp?ID=41617&hubName=nhl


guess he is what he is.........on and off the ice :roll:

[Tatfever]

A very good player that you wish you had on Carolina's team. Tell me otherwise?

[talkingcanes]

if he grows up and develops some character and self control that might be the case, but until then I wouldn't want him on the Canes.

[Tatfever]

That is right, I keep forgetting how much character Sean Hill has. A cheap shot artist that has no problem trying to end peoples career. You can keep Sean Hill and his character down there. I am more than glad to keep Joe up here!
Oh yeah, how about Jesse? We knew of his character as soon as he was traded here to Lowell. Are you going to tell me that you did not know he was suspended for one year?
All I am saying is do not judge a person due to one incedent. If that is the case, Carolina is no better than a lot of other teams.

[talkingcanes]

I happen to disagree with your assessment of Hill and of course, I knew about Jesse's suspension. They are already on the team. You stated that we wanted Joe. I don't. He needs to learn to control his temper. He is not unique in that. I don't think this incident will ruin his life. I do think there will be more incidents, on and off the ice, if he doesn't learn to control his temper. I am not questioning his talent. I was just answering your question.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

A very good player that you wish you had on Carolina's team. Tell me otherwise?

Do I want a player that can completely blow a game for us by losing his temper? No I do not. We watched Thornton go nuts and play a part (Boyton played the other part) in Boston losing to us this year. IMO, thanks but no thanks....I despise the guy.

Assaulting a police officer....heard of anger management Joe? Has Sean Hill ever been involved in anything like this off the ice that anyone knows of? Or even Jesse? If you want to label the two of them as dirty players fine but at least they are not dirty people.

[Jeff O Rocks]

A very good player that you wish you had on Carolina's team. Tell me otherwise?

Do I want a player that can completely blow a game for us by losing his temper? No I do not. We watched Thornton go nuts and play a part (Boyton played the other part) in Boston losing to us this year. IMO, thanks but no thanks....I despise the guy.

Assaulting a police officer....heard of anger management Joe? Has Sean Hill ever been involved in anything like this off the ice that anyone knows of? Or even Jesse? If you want to label the two of them as dirty players fine but at least they are not dirty people.

I agree SHC...and tatfever...please don't talk trash about OUR Canes..I don't appreciate it and I am sure there are others that don't...this forum is called LETSGOCANES.COM...NOT LETSGOBRUINS or anything else! :mad: Thank you!

[Stormbringer]

A very good player that you wish you had on Carolina's team. Tell me otherwise?

Do I want a player that can completely blow a game for us by losing his temper? No I do not. We watched Thornton go nuts and play a part (Boyton played the other part) in Boston losing to us this year. IMO, thanks but no thanks....I despise the guy.

Thank you SHC! I'll never forget that...my brother and I were practically screaming at the TV when Thornton returned to the game after getting a (deserved IMO) game misconduct but then had it taken away. IIRC, didn't Thornton kind of instigate a fight? If he didn't instigate a fight, he did something very uncalled for...whatever it was, I seem to recall that my brother and I were like "C'MON, THAT SHOULD BE AN INSTIGATOR CALL!". At least the Canes won that night...the Bruins didn't deserve a win, especially with their "captain" (Sorry Tat, but Thornton is one person who does not deserve that honor...at least until he can finally grow up.) acting the way he did AND was allowed back into the game.

Anyway, a fourth vote here for never caring to see Thornton adorned with the Sightless Eye.

[Tatfever]

I agree SHC...and tatfever...please don't talk trash about OUR Canes..I don't appreciate it and I am sure there are others that don't...this forum is called LETSGOCANES.COM...NOT LETSGOBRUINS or anything else! :mad: Thank you!

Excuse me, but when did I talk trash about YOUR Canes? Someone made a comment about Thorton's character and I brought up two players on the Canes that I thought did not have a lot in the character department. How is that talking trash about your Canes?
I happen to follow the Canes as closely, if not more than the Bruins. Do not forget that half of your team this year started up here for us. Also, Jesse happens to be a fan favorite up here(including me also), but it does not excuse him from what he did. He also did have charges pressed against him.
You may call it trash talking JeffO, but I call it someone elses opinion. I am sorry if that bothers you.

[talkingcanes]

Thanks ladies........each of you made the point better than I did.

[Turbulence]

Anyway, a fourth vote here for never caring to see Thornton adorned with the Sightless Eye.

And a fifth here. We don't need his attitude...I'm really dissapointed in Joe. I find it hard to believe that the Captain of one of the most storied franchises in hockey could get himself into this. Granted he was probably a little more than tipsy, and mad at that... I'm sure the guy's a good person off of the ice. But he can't let himself get into the position he is in and throw it away during a drunken brawl.
Comparisons to Sean Hill are uncalled for. He may be tough on the ice, but off the ice he is a genuinely good guy and good ambassdtor for our team. He doesn't go to clubs and get into fights. I liken it to Scott Stevens and his attitude on/off the ice.
:sick:

[Tatfever]

the Bruins didn't deserve a win, especially with their "captain" (Sorry Tat, but Thornton is one person who does not deserve that honor...at least until he can finally grow up.)

Do not get me wrong. I do not feel that Thorton should have or even deserves to have a 'C' on his chest. There are a lot more players on the Bruins that deserve it more than him. He is immature, and does lose his temper to much. But as a hockey player....he is one of the most talented in the league right now.
The only point I was trying to bring up was that he is a player that many teams in the league and their fans also would want on their team.

[Tatfever]

Comparisons to Sean Hill are uncalled for. He may be tough on the ice, but off the ice he is a genuinely good guy and good ambassdtor for our team.

When did I compare the person of Sean Hill to the person of Joe Thorton? Talkingcanes brought up CHARACTER!!! Sean Hill may be a great person and I am not saying anything about that at all. I have seen him do many cheapshots on the ice during Carolina's games (I have CenterIce).
IMHO, the character of Sean Hill on the ice is not very high. Talkingcanes brought up Joe's character, and that is what I responded to.
I guess I am making a lot of enemies on this board right now. :mad:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

When did I compare the person of Sean Hill to the person of Joe Thorton? Talkingcanes brought up CHARACTER!!! Sean Hill may be a great person and I am not saying anything about that at all. I have seen him do many cheapshots on the ice during Carolina's games (I have CenterIce).
IMHO, the character of Sean Hill on the ice is not very high. Talkingcanes brought up Joe's character, and that is what I responded to.
I guess I am making a lot of enemies on this board right now. :mad:

Well, you honestly aren't making an enemy out of me. :spin:

I don't like Joe Thornton and I do hate the Bruins. I also know that in Boston (and maybe some other places) Hill is sorta considered public enemy #1 and I completely disagree with it. I think he plays tough but I haven't seen him take many dirty hits....but then Boston fans probably don't think Thornton is dirty. We all have our opinions and they are probably all biased a bit towards whatever team we most like so I don't see the point in getting too upset about the whole thing.

I do think that in bringing up Hill and Jesse after TC had mentioned character means you were calling their character into question and I haven't seen anything but class from the two of them off the ice....but I'm also sure that Boston fans have seen Thornton do things classy off the ice as well so I'm not gonna make any sweeping statements about the guy. But from what I've seen he is not mature enough to have the C, he needs to get control of his temper and his early god-like status in the league has gone to his head. Until he grows out of all that I don't want the guy....but anyone has every right to disagree with me there.

Sorry for that rambling there....it's Sunday....too relaxed to think that clearly. ;)

[talkingcanes]

Comparisons to Sean Hill are uncalled for. He may be tough on the ice, but off the ice he is a genuinely good guy and good ambassdtor for our team.

When did I compare the person of Sean Hill to the person of Joe Thorton? Talkingcanes brought up CHARACTER!!! Sean Hill may be a great person and I am not saying anything about that at all. I have seen him do many cheapshots on the ice during Carolina's games (I have CenterIce).
IMHO, the character of Sean Hill on the ice is not very high. Talkingcanes brought up Joe's character, and that is what I responded to.
I guess I am making a lot of enemies on this board right now. :mad:


not enemies.........just people disagreeing. I think Joe is immature and unable to control his temper. This particular incident shows that is true off the ice as well, at least at times. IMO, that is a character issue. Whatever you think of Hill (and I don't think he's a dirty player), there have been no off ice problems as far as I know. Bottom line for me, Joe needs to grow up and be responsible for his behavior on and off the ice. Talent, and he has that, is not enough to deserve the honor of wearing the "C". I know you wrote that you agree that he doesn't necessarily deserve to be Captain.

[Turbulence]

Talent, and he has that, is not enough to deserve the honor of wearing the "C". I know you wrote that you agree that he doesn't necessarily deserve to be Captain.

Aren't there more capable veterans on the Bruins that deserve the C? I don't know who Boston's Alternates are now...but there are older, more experienced guys like Glen Murray, PJ Axelsson, Don Sweeney, even Brian Rolston who could do a (more?) admirable job with the C. I don't completely agree with the placement of the C on someone so new to the game...

And about enemies....don't think anything of it. It's conversations like this that keep our hockey-minds stimulated until camp starts in a few months. http://mysmilies.no-ip.com/mysmilies/afro.gif

[1Irbegirlforever]

When did I compare the person of Sean Hill to the person of Joe Thorton? Talkingcanes brought up CHARACTER!!! Sean Hill may be a great person and I am not saying anything about that at all. I have seen him do many cheapshots on the ice during Carolina's games (I have CenterIce).
IMHO, the character of Sean Hill on the ice is not very high. Talkingcanes brought up Joe's character, and that is what I responded to.
I guess I am making a lot of enemies on this board right now. :mad:

Well, you honestly aren't making an enemy out of me. :spin:

I don't like Joe Thornton and I do hate the Bruins. I also know that in Boston (and maybe some other places) Hill is sorta considered public enemy #1 and I completely disagree with it. I think he plays tough but I haven't seen him take many dirty hits....but then Boston fans probably don't think Thornton is dirty. We all have our opinions and they are probably all biased a bit towards whatever team we most like so I don't see the point in getting too upset about the whole thing.

I do think that in bringing up Hill and Jesse after TC had mentioned character means you were calling their character into question and I haven't seen anything but class from the two of them off the ice....but I'm also sure that Boston fans have seen Thornton do things classy off the ice as well so I'm not gonna make any sweeping statements about the guy. But from what I've seen he is not mature enough to have the C, he needs to get control of his temper and his early god-like status in the league has gone to his head. Until he grows out of all that I don't want the guy....but anyone has every right to disagree with me there.

Sorry for that rambling there....it's Sunday....too relaxed to think that clearly. ;)

I completely agree with SHC on this one. I don't like Joe Thornton, i think he is full of himself and needs to adjust his attitude and maturity a bit if he if going to be worthy of the "C". Sure, there are some players on our team who could probably use a little maturing, but Tatfever-better watch what you say about Hurricanes players.

You won't last here long if you start "discussing" how much character you think Sean Hill doesn't have. Joe Thornton is a Bruin. This is a Carolina Hurricanes message board. Therefore, we will be biased against Joe. Sean Hill? Terrific guy with LOTS of character in my opinion, so don't even think about going there.

You want to talk about the Canes in a positive manner, welcome aboard. If not, either keep the negative out, or don't discuss our players at all.

[Jeff O Rocks]

I agree SHC...and tatfever...please don't talk trash about OUR Canes..I don't appreciate it and I am sure there are others that don't...this forum is called LETSGOCANES.COM...NOT LETSGOBRUINS or anything else! :mad: Thank you!

Excuse me, but when did I talk trash about YOUR Canes? Someone made a comment about Thorton's character and I brought up two players on the Canes that I thought did not have a lot in the character department. How is that talking trash about your Canes?
I happen to follow the Canes as closely, if not more than the Bruins. Do not forget that half of your team this year started up here for us. Also, Jesse happens to be a fan favorite up here(including me also), but it does not excuse him from what he did. He also did have charges pressed against him.
You may call it trash talking JeffO, but I call it someone elses opinion. I am sorry if that bothers you.

I am in LETSGOCANES and I don't like for someone to talk about the players...if I wanted to see that shi*, I would go to ch.com....and YES it bother me...and I don't like it...but that is my opinion I guess, huh?? :mad:

[StormShaman]

A very good player that you wish you had on Carolina's team. Tell me otherwise?

I'll be glad to tell you otherwise.

Joe Thornton is a cheap little thug. He and Derian Hatcher are two guys that I don't want anywhere near the 'Canes at all, period. I've never liked either of them. Same with Scott Stevens. If they never don the Sightless Eye, it'll be too damn soon.

Sean Hill never assaulted a cop. Neither did Jesse Boulerice (who has begged forgiveness for what he did many a time--I'd forgiven him when he was in the Flyers org).

When they do, and when they blow game after game for the 'Canes because of their temper, THEN you can come and jump all over us with the high-and-mighty crap.

Until then? Pike it, berk.

[StormShaman]

Someone made a comment about Thorton's character and I brought up two players on the Canes that I thought did not have a lot in the character department.

Yeah right, and E-L-B-O-W apparently spells "tricep", according to Mike O'Connell.

Pot. Kettle. BruinsFan.

Thank you, drive-through.


In case you haven't noticed, I have little patience for Canes-bashing disguised as "presenting the facts".

[Tatfever]

In case you haven't noticed, I have little patience for Canes-bashing disguised as "presenting the facts".

When was I Cane bashing? Character was brought up and I made an opinion that was highly unliked on this message board. If you people want to put your players on a pedestal then I am sorry if I insulted them by saying what I said.
I never said Joe has or had a lot of character. Something was brought up and I responded to that. Why is it OK for you people to bash other players, but if someone says something about the Canes they are tarred and feathered?
BTW - During the season one of your players in the Lowell Org. was busted for herion. It does not matter if they are Joe Thorton or Kaspars Astashenko, every orginization has some players that has problems.

[Tatfever]

Until then? Pike it, berk.

Maybe cause I am a NewEnglander, but what the hell is a berk?
I am sorry if I insulted the all high and almighty.

[Turbulence]

Things are really being blown out of proportion...a heated discussion has been turned into something more...it'd be in the best interest of everyone and this board if we'd all turn up the a/c a bit, knowwhaddimean?

Everyone has their problems, regardless of their hockey organization. Let's just leave it at that...

[1Irbegirlforever]

Look Tatfever, whoever you are. I don't know how you found this site, but isn't the name of the site enough to let you know that anything bad (even if not intended in a bad way) that you say about our players will be taken the wrong way. We on here are all die-hard hurricanes fans who won't tolerate anyone downing our players. if you're not sure where you downed them, review all your posts and you'll see.
anyway, don't expect us to not jump on you if you say something negative about our guys. if it bugs you to read negative things about joe or if that is what provoked you to attack sean hill, you probably don't want to stick around here for long because yes, a lot of times we talk negative about an opposing team's player that we don't like.
then again, we are called LETS GO CANES. COM so that would make perfect sense to me.

[Tatfever]

I am done with this %$&#. I came on here and said one thing and it gor blown out of proportion. I am sorry if i do not fit into this group that some of you are in(Shaman,Irbegirl,JeffO).
I found this website because I am a HOCKEY fan, not just a Bruins fan, and I am also from Lowell where many of your players played this year. It was fun to come to this website and see what the players from Lowell were doing and what fans thought about them.
BUT - do not sit here and say this person is a loser if you do not want someone to call a Cane a loser.
BTW Irbegirl - some people on this board know who I am and that is what I care about. My opinion may not mean %&^$ to you but it might to some other people.
Later.

[Turbulence]

Please, Tat. You don't need to leave. You give us a very unique perspective that we really need...others, myself included, may have misunderstood some things that you said as 'Canes-bashing, which it wasn't. You were just defending your team...not bashing ours. Please...stay.

[nccanes]

Yes, let's not let this get out of hand. Tat's provided us with some insight to the Lowell Canes as they one-by-one came to Raleigh. I for one appreciate that.

It appears that talkingcanes remark, which seemed very benign to us struck a nerve with Tat. Likewise, Tat's presumptuous reply, "a very good player that you wish you had..." elicited more defensive posts.

As I read thru the thread, it seemed like Tat and others agreed more than they disagreed. Thornton's recent behavior is not what you'd expect from an NHL captain - that's a pretty safe bet. I'll be the first one to say that I am not surprised 1 iota that Sean Hill gets the kind of reaction he gets....I'd probably hate him if he didn't play for the Canes. And sometimes I'm pretty damn frustrated with him as it as ;).

We're all recognizing that on ice and off ice behavior forms our opinions. While some can overlook, forgive, have patience, etc. for 1 player - there are a ton of fans in other cities that wouldn't dream of giving that player a second chance.

I can also understand that what Boulerice did is something people might not be able to get over. At one time a poor quality video clip was somewhere on the 'net - what he did was extremely fierce and out of control. My feelings about him being a Cane were very, very mixed.

Anyway, back to this thread. I guess the ol' saying is true - know your audience. Don't leave, but don't be surprised that when you ask if Thornton is someone you want on the Canes, the answering is a resounding "No".

Fans don't have to be logical or agree - that's why they're "fan-atics".

[Canesluver]

I love ya, NC -- you're always the voice of reason, trying to arbitrate both sides of the discussion. I bet you're a Libra. ;)

I guess everybody just needs to take a deep breath and agree to disagree.

And Tatfever-- we'll cool off. It's okay to come back.

(And I'm curious to know what a "berk" is too.)

[Turbulence]

Very well said, nccanes.



(And I'm curious to know what a "berk" is too.)
A quick search on images.google comes up with this...
http://www.aowz68.dsl.pipex.com/cartoons/trapdoor/berk.gif

??? :p

[Jeff O Rocks]

In my opinion tatfever can come or go...I don't care....I do care that they come in here and start insulting Jesse and Sean...None of our players are perfect, and I know that, but this is THEIR forum and we respect them....we are not only hockey fans, but CANES fans first!! So don't come in here and insult some of our players and expect it to be overlooked!! :mad:

I am through now...

[StormShaman]

In my opinion tatfever can come or go...I don't care....I do care that they come in here and start insulting Jesse and Sean...None of our players are perfect, and I know that, but this is THEIR forum and we respect them....we are not only hockey fans, but CANES fans first!! So don't come in here and insult some of our players and expect it to be overlooked!! :mad:

I am through now...

Wot she said.

Berk
A fool, especially someone who gets himself into a mess when he should have known better. -- definition courtesy of the dictionary at mimir.net--sorry, I've been playing Planescape:Torment too much lately.

[crazy4canes]

Looks like things got a little heated in here. Hope everyone has cooled down by now. Let's keep it civil. :)

Oh..my 2 cents ...Joe Thornton is a thug. I don't like him, I don't want him. He has a bad temper and needs more time to mature a bit. That was my opinion before this incident and it will likely not change anytime soon.

[tommy]

To say that Sean Hill is a cheapshot artist is unfair and not true. He is a physical player, and I have yet to see him intentionally cheap shot. (And I watch all the games too, okay?)

To say that Sean Hill lacks character is not just unfair and not true, it is crap. He brings a lot to the ice and locker room. As soon as we reacquired him the other season, we started immediately improving. He is pleasant off the ice as well.

Being involved with a cop like that is a BIT more extreme. And no, I wouldn't like to have Thornton on the team. I'd like to have someone with his stats, but not him.

[Cool Hand Luke]

I would like to add my 2 cents into this mix.

Jesse Boulerice made one mistake. One. The mistake was huge but that mistake was on the ice, not in public and he never assaulted a police officer. It's easier to forgive and forget one mistake, especially when the player asks for forgiveness and admits to the mistake. I'm a full season ticketholder, and I have never witnessed Jesse losing his cool or acting in an irresponsible manner, even in the difficult role as team enforcer.

Night after night after night you can watch Joe Thornton lose his cool after someone gives him a clean hit, or otherwise, or for whatever reason just happens to strike him. Now this event is added to his resume. Has he ever apologized for his behaviour? What's really a shame is the waste of unbelievable talent. If he could control his temper, he might be a league MVP. Until that happens, he'll just be an underperforming spoiled hothead.

Until he shows that he can lead a team to the conference finals instead of folding every year in the first round of the playoffs, he can remain a Bruin. *S*

[Tatfever]

Well, Well, Well....... I made quite a few enemies and for that I apologize again. WHen I said earlier I was done with this $^%#, I meant I was done with this topic. It seems like I pissed off quite a few people along my ways. But hey... I am entitled to my opinions, right?
I will still continue to post on here because I am a hockey fan and I do have an interest in the Canes(believe it or not!) Storm, JeffO, and Irbegirl if you chose not to read any of my posts again that is OK.
This is what is great about America...Freedom of Speech. I am not upset at anyone here, quite the opposite. If people are upset at me, I am OK with that, cause I know when I get off this computer I will have a 4 a 2 year old smiling at me :D :D when this day is done. That is what is important to me, not what i said about a player or what people said about me.

[1Irbegirlforever]

Well, Well, Well....... I made quite a few enemies and for that I apologize again. WHen I said earlier I was done with this $^%#, I meant I was done with this topic. It seems like I pissed off quite a few people along my ways. But hey... I am entitled to my opinions, right?
I will still continue to post on here because I am a hockey fan and I do have an interest in the Canes(believe it or not!) Storm, JeffO, and Irbegirl if you chose not to read any of my posts again that is OK.
This is what is great about America...Freedom of Speech. I am not upset at anyone here, quite the opposite. If people are upset at me, I am OK with that, cause I know when I get off this computer I will have a 4 a 2 year old smiling at me :D :D when this day is done. That is what is important to me, not what i said about a player or what people said about me.

No, you haven't made enemies. I love hockey, but i try to not let it make me be a jerk to others. sorry if i was to you. Look, it's obvious you and i and others got very defensive when the character of our team's players was questioned. I DO get defensive when others talk bad about our players, but i guess i can agree to disagree with you. :) I never meant to offend you. I thought you were one of those "trolls" who likes to go to opposing team's message boards and bash them. BUT, you do seem pretty cool, so if you want to call a truce and agree to disagree sometimes, that's ok with me. :)

As far as i'm concerned, you're welcome here any old time...and who knows...maybe we can get into some good hockey discussions. :)

[Jeff O Rocks]

Well, Well, Well....... I made quite a few enemies and for that I apologize again. WHen I said earlier I was done with this $^%#, I meant I was done with this topic. It seems like I pissed off quite a few people along my ways. But hey... I am entitled to my opinions, right?
I will still continue to post on here because I am a hockey fan and I do have an interest in the Canes(believe it or not!) Storm, JeffO, and Irbegirl if you chose not to read any of my posts again that is OK.
This is what is great about America...Freedom of Speech. I am not upset at anyone here, quite the opposite. If people are upset at me, I am OK with that, cause I know when I get off this computer I will have a 4 a 2 year old smiling at me :D :D when this day is done. That is what is important to me, not what i said about a player or what people said about me.

I think that the "Freedom of Speech" thing gets beat more than that poor old dead horse...some people think it is ok to say things to insult our players (cheapshots) and irritate folks in the forum and then quote "Freedom of Speech"... I wonder if I went to a Wings page or a Bruins page and called their players dirty or commented on cheapshots that I saw on Center Ice, how many nice comments I would get or how many would welcome me with open arms!!??? Anyone care to bet!???

[talkingcanes]

"Freedom of Speech"... I wonder if I went to a Wings page or a Bruins page and called their players dirty or commented on cheapshots that I saw on Center Ice, how many nice comments I would get or how many would welcome me with open arms!!??? Anyone care to bet!???

that's why I posted it here :D I certainly wouldn't have expected a warm, fuzzy reception on a Buins site and I would have deserved the response I got. I also have a firm rule about not pouring gas on a fire which is basically the same thing as insulting a player on his team's board.

To add injury to insult, it says in the paper today that the police sprayed Thornton with pepper spray.......OUCH :cry:

[StormShaman]

Freedom of Speech.

Of course--you're certainly free to cast stones from your glass house, and we're free to run up and knock out all your windows with a ball-pein hammer.

Sorry Tat, but I'm with Mona--if we were to go on letsgowings.com or whatever Bruins board exists and run smack on their players, crying "FREE SPEECH!" won't be any defense against getting rightly piled on by the locals.

[Tatfever]

crying "FREE SPEECH!" won't be any defense against getting rightly piled on by the locals.

Storm, I am not using it as a defense. I made some comments that upset some people including yourself and JeffO, but I will not use any defense for what I said. I said it, and it is over with.
If you and Mona want to be mad at me, that is OK and you two have every right to be. Chances are I will make more comments on here that will upset other people too. That is life.
Again, my defense is no defense. I said what I said. Some people agreed and a lot more people disagreed.

[Kat]

The "Freedom of Speech" thing... once again, these boards are privately owned and operated. Therefore freedom of speech goes out the window. Ff the owner/mods don't like what you say, edited or banned you become. In this case the mods haven't stepped in, but if they did....

I personally could care less what you say about any player anywhere (including Thornton, Hill, Boulerice, etc.), but the FoS term is, imo, highly misused to justify saying mean things. Sure, you are free to come into my house and say I suck, but I am therefore free to throw you out. :beatup:

Just sayin'.

-Kat

[StormShaman]

crying "FREE SPEECH!" won't be any defense against getting rightly piled on by the locals.

Storm, I am not using it as a defense.

And I'm Martha Stewart.

Sorry, but it really sounds to me like you're just wanting to fight for the sake of getting into a fight now--so I'll just go ahead and tag out of this thread.

Seeya.

[Jeff O Rocks]

If you and Mona want to be mad at me, that is OK and you two have every right to be.

This my last response to you and to this thread...I don't know you so I will spend NO time or energy being mad at a total stranger. In my opinion, you were wrong to come in here and insult Jesse and Sean. Obviously, you are taking your embarrassment for what Thornton did out on whoever you can..whether it be the Canes' players or their fans!! This is a very loyal group and I can say right now that we don't take kindly to insults to the team!!

The end... :mad:

[crazy4canes]

And with that, I think we need to put this to bed boys and girls. Everybody to their corners. Now, let's get back on topic, shall we? :cool:

[AbNormal27]

OK, I think it may be time for me to chime in. Time to chime in for a couple of reasons, being a Canes fan being first and foremost.

If anyone had bothered to READ the article you would see that there was more said about the happenings surrounding JOHN Thornton and that the most newsworthy thing that involved JOE Thornton was that he was pepper sprayed. The fact of the matter is that Joe and his brother were provoked by some drunk ass boneheads at a bar. Finally when someone had had enough of badmouthing them, they took it to the next level and fisticuffs ensued.

Joe Thornton is a very classy individual. He is only 23 folks! He is amongst the elite in the NHL, and he hasn't reached his peak yet. When he was drafted and left in the line-up many said the Bruins were misusing him, but now he is making them look like geniuses. As for his "crybaby" status and where he got this "cheap shot" tag from, I don't know, I can think of MANY guys in the NHL that come to mind before Joe Thornton's name ever would. There is no doubt in my mind when I say this, I would LOVE to have Joe Thornton in a Hurricanes uniform.

As for his character, all of us can have our opinions about him. I can have 2 opinions here as he declined an invitation to play for Canada at this year's World Championships, which I took hard, but got past it because this is the same guy who signed over several of his NHL bonuses to help the local Junior B St. Thomas Stars team (a team he once played for) because of a defecit they had been operating under. I seem to remember people on this very list saying some very kind things about Archie during the problems he was causing with the team this year because of his contributions to local charities, foundations, etc. Why should Joe be painted any different because he wears a Bruins jersey? Many of you tried to convince me to give Archie his due even though his whining really erked me.

Lastly, there is more to this story than any of YOU know, and if it comes out with as much publicity as this has I'll be surprised. WHY? I WAS THERE.

I was at Burty Bob's when all this went down, and I can tell you that the "shoving" Joe did to the cops was a defence mechanism because he was being shoved from behind by the same jackholes who were egging him on. The pepper spray was COMPLETELY uncalled for, and unnecessary. Joe grabbed his face, lost his balance and fell down 2 stairs to where the officer who sprayed him was standing .

This morning Joe Thornton and his brother were still "facing" charges, so I don't know where this "trespassing" charge has come from. John was asked to leave and he said he shouldn't have to since he didn't do anything except defend himself. He didn't instigate it, but he should have left when asked to by police. John was put in cuffs, and being "lead" out of the bar when the cop escorting him tripped and took him down. He landed on his face and was understandably embarassed and upset. Things aren't always what they seem when they come out it the press, and this is one of those things. To quote his aunt and many of us who were present.... "This is really unfair."

Aaryn

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Aaryn...one thing you must know is that when this thread started the article that is on TSN was not the article that is on there now. It was a much abbreviated form with very few details....I know I read it and what is there now is 3 times as long as what was there then. In the article that was originally there all it said was that he was arrested for assault on a police officer.

Secondly, I would expect nothing but a defense of Joe Thornton from you since Thornton is a hometown boy for you. ;)

Third, I don't doubt that people who are closer to the Boston market (or his home town) have more information about Thornton and therefore have all kinds of examples of him doing great charity works. We however never hear about that.

Lastly, my opinion of Thornton before this incident was the same as it is now....he's an extremely talented, immature guy who I do not want on my team. Give him 3 more years to grow up and then we'll see. However, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I do think this thread got a bit out of hand and look forward to seeing that die down now.

[AbNormal27]

Aaryn...one thing you must know is that when this thread started the article that is on TSN was not the article that is on there now. It was a much abbreviated form with very few details....I know I read it and what is there now is 3 times as long as what was there then. In the article that was originally there all it said was that he was arrested for assault on a police officer.

Secondly, I would expect nothing but a defense of Joe Thornton from you since Thornton is a hometown boy for you. ;)

Third, I don't doubt that people who are closer to the Boston market (or his home town) have more information about Thornton and therefore have all kinds of examples of him doing great charity works. We however never hear about that.

Lastly, my opinion of Thornton before this incident was the same as it is now....he's an extremely talented, immature guy who I do not want on my team. Give him 3 more years to grow up and then we'll see. However, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I do think this thread got a bit out of hand and look forward to seeing that die down now.

SHC, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Give him time to grow up, he's only 23. Thanks for pointing out the inconsistencies in the reporting, I was not aware of that. Once again, SHC is the voice of reason. I am looking forward to meeting you soon. BTW, I like Thornton because he is a stand up guy (much like why I like Matt cooke), not because he's from this area.

Aaryn

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Once again, SHC is the voice of reason.

You may have a bit of a wrong impression of me... :crazy: ;) :beatup:

BTW, I like Thornton because he is a stand up guy (much like why I like Matt cooke), not because he's from this area.


I know you do. I was just messing with you on that one. :p :spin:

[nccanes]

Once again, SHC is the voice of reason.

You may have a bit of a wrong impression of me... :crazy: ;) :beatup:



Heh. I was thinking the same thing, SHC ;). And here I thought I was the voice of reason. ;)

[crazy4canes]

Update: Thornton apologizes to Bruins (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=41938)

[nccanes]

Update: Thornton apologizes to Bruins (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?ID=41938)

To bad he didn't follow the team's own good advice:

In hindsight, said O'Connell, Thornton knew he should have left the bar at the first sign of trouble. "We address this very thing during training camp and again when the season is over," O'Connell told the Boston Herald. "You're a celebrity, if anything happens the media isn't really going to care what happened.

"The name in the story, the headline, is going to be the player's whether it's his fault or not. If trouble starts, just walk away. He basically told me he was there. Whether he should have been there or shouldn't have been is one question. But when the thing started, he should have left."


Sounds like the story is starting to sound more similar to Aaryn's account.

O'Connell said he didn't have a clear picture of what took place but suggested the trouble was started by others.

[Shell]

Addressing issues
Thornton only looking ahead

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 6/13/2003

TORONTO - When Joe Thornton was a rookie center during the 1997-98 season, the Bruins just wanted him to learn what it would take for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft to be successful in the NHL.

As the years have passed, Thornton has grown from a kid who was just happy to be there to the team's best player and captain. Yesterday, he and Colorado's Peter Forsberg were runners-up to Vancouver captain Markus Naslund in the voting for the Lester B. Pearson Award, given to the most outstanding player as chosen by members of the NHL Players Association. All three were on hand to participate in the ceremony, which was held at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Thornton's offseason hasn't been without adversity. He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday to answer two counts of assaulting a police officer and obstructing police as the result of a bar brawl at Burty Bob's Two in his native St. Thomas, Ontario, in the early hours of May 17. According to police, Thornton's participation was prompted by his desire to help his older brother, John, who was being arrested for his role in the fisticuffs.

In his first public comments, Thornton was guarded on the subject.

''Obviously, it was unfortunate what happened but it will be OK,'' said Thornton. ''Everything is fine. I'm going to go next week and we'll see what happens then.''

Although Thornton regrets the notoriety, he said he wasn't embarrassed about the incident.

''No, because I didn't do anything wrong,'' he said. ''We'll have to see what happens. Obviously, going to jail, you don't want to do that. It's one of those things that happened, but everything will get ironed out.''

Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell, who also attended last night's event, had met with Thornton and the player's agent, J.P. Barry, shortly after the incident and said he was satisfied with his captain's explanation.

''Any time there are police involved and there are charges that are levied, it's a serious thing,'' said O'Connell. ''But you listen to Joe's side of the story and you hear what happened and find out as much information as you can and you move on.

''I'm sure the company Joe was with, and I'm not sure who was there, but they probably didn't have as much to lose as Joe does. So their behavior is probably a little bit different than Joe's. ''

As for being recognized by his peers, ''Obviously, when the players pick the award it's flattering,'' said Thornton, who earned a career-high 101 points and finished third in the NHL scoring race behind Forsberg and Naslund. ''Just to be part of this whole event, it's a real honor for me. ''

Thornton said the fact that New Jersey won the Stanley Cup took a little bit of the sting out of the Bruins' first-round loss to the Devils, especially because it meant coach Pat Burns got his first Cup.

''You knew he was going to get it some time,'' said Thornton. ''He did great with that team. It was a slow process for me but he was very instrumental in getting me to where I am today. He kind of had baby gloves with me, but I knew he was going to win the Cup.

''It seems like every team we lose to always goes to the finals or wins the Cup. Hopefully, we'll get past the first round next year and win it ourselves. We just have to add a couple of pieces here and there and I think we're a Cup contender for sure.''

O'Connell said part of his meeting with Thornton revolved around what it would take for him to be an effective captain.

Thornton said he thought the exchange was worthwhile. He will be 24 when training camp opens in September and will be entering his seventh season.

''Each year we want to get better as a team,'' said Thornton. ''He wanted to see what I thought of the year. Every year I want to keep on improving and hopefully I will. I'm so young still. I've got a lot of guys like Glen Murray and Rob Zamuner and guys like that who have been around a lot of captains in their past and they can help me out. ''

Another issue of note is who will be behind the Bruins' bench next season. O'Connell said he has no plans to talk to former assistant Peter Laviolette, who was fired as head coach of the Islanders after two years, or former New Jersey coach Larry Robinson. He said he has narrowed his list of candidates to three or four and likely will make the final choice next week prior to the NHL draft in Nashville. Thornton said he thought Mike Sullivan, who coached Providence last year and was called up to assist O'Connell when Robbie Ftorek was fired, would be a strong choice ... At the NHL awards ceremony last night, Colorado's Peter Forsberg captured the Hart Trophy as league MVP; New Jersey's Martin Brodeur won his first Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender; Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom claimed his third Norris Trophy as top defenseman; St. Louis defenseman Barrett Jackman won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year; Toronto forward Alexander Mogilny earned the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy as the most gentlemanly player; Minnesota's Jacques Lemaire won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year; Jere Lehtinen of Dallas won the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward; and Steve Yzerman beat out Bruin Bryan Berard for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

This story ran on page D2 of the Boston Globe on 6/13/2003.
© Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.

[Shell]

Charges against Thornton stayed
TSN.ca Staff with files from CP
8/12/2003

Charges against Boston Bruins centre Joe Thornton stemming from a bar fight earlier this year were stayed in a St. Thomas court Tuesday.

During a brief court appearance, Crown attorney Kevin Gowdey announced he would no longer pursue the case against Thornton, who was not present in the courtroom. Charges against Thornton's brother, John of obstructing police and failing to leave the premises lodged in the same incident will proceed next month.

Thornton was charged with two counts of assaulting police and one count of obstructing justice following a brawl in the early morning hours of May 17. The St. Thomas native has agreed to offer an apology to the parties involved in the scuffle as well as begin a 'significant period of community service.'

The Crown attorney has one year to obtain more evidence and resume with the case against Thornton.

Thornton, who was pepper sprayed during the incident, was accused of striking two police officers as he was attempting to help out his brother in the brawl.