VIDEO: Joe Thornton joins Greyhounds 'hockey royalty'

The number 19 will never be worn by a Soo Greyhound ever again.

Hockey fans packed the GFL Memorial Gardens on Saturday night for an unforgettable affair that honoured former Greyhound and now retired NHL veteran Joe Thornton with a jersey retirement and banner raising ceremony.

Joined by his family and former teammates, Thornton, commonly known as “Jumbo Joe,” was welcomed into the arena by a raucous crowd of 4,800+ prior to tonight’s game against the Windsor Spitfires.

PHOTO GALLERY: 'Jumbo moment for Joe Thornton as Soo Greyhounds retire his #19'

At times during his speech, Thornton couldn’t help but shed a few tears.

“Hockey has given me so much, and my two years here prepared me to handle every aspect of the game,” he said. “What really became apparent to me was that hockey was more than just a game.”

“My time in the Sault was the first time I lived away from home. It was impossible to feel homesick, though, because I would see my parents every single weekend.”

“My mom and dad did a lot of road trips to the Sault, and they had to drive through so much snow,” he laughed. “Snow I’d never seen before and never will again. This place is crazy for the snow.”

Prior to the banner raising, Soo Greyhounds current player Christopher Brown surrendered his number 19 jersey to Thornton. The two shared a laugh and a photo following the jersey transfer. 

GAME STORY: 'Greyhounds grab dramatic victory after honouring former great'

The former OHL and CHL rookie of the year played for the red and white from 1995-97 and recorded 198 points over the course of his two seasons spent in the Sault.

Thornton was selected first overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and played 1,714 games in the NHL for four teams – totaling 1,539 points over that span. He was also the recipient of the Art Ross and Hart Memorial trophies in 2006.

Jumbo Joe officially announced his retirement from the NHL last week.

He now joins an exclusive club of former Soo Greyhounds players to have their numbers retired in Sault Ste. Marie, including Wayne Gretzky, Ron Francis, Adam Foote, Craig Hartsburg, and John Vanbiesbrouck.

“Being next to this group of hockey royalty is surreal for a 16-year-old kid who showed up here from St. Thomas,” he said. “He wouldn’t have believed it if you told him back in 1995.”

As for retirement plans, Thornton isn’t planning on leaving hockey behind anytime soon.

“If you’re looking for me, you know where to find me," he said. "I’ll be at the rink."