Shawn Thornton, the former Boston Bruin who played on two Stanley Cup-winning National Hockey League teams, will speak about his life during an appearance at Fitchburg State University on Monday, April 8.
Thornton, currently a senior vice president with the Florida Panthers, will present "Fighting My Way to the Top" at 7 p.m. Monday, April 8 at Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission to the talk is free and open to the public.
The discussion will be moderated by Fitchburg State students Toivo Kramer, Samuel Rennick and Trenton Skaggs, all of whom are student ambassadors for the university’s School of Business and Technology as well as members of the Fitchburg State Falcons ice hockey team.
Thornton played professional hockey for 20 years, concluding his playing career as a member of the Panthers on April 8, 2017. A two-time Stanley Cup champion (2007, 2011), the native of Oshawa, Ontario, appeared in 705 NHL games with the Panthers (2014-15 to 2016-17), Boston Bruins (2007-08 to 2013-14), Anaheim Ducks (2006-07) and Chicago Blackhawks (2002-03 to 2005-06) recording 102 points (42-60-102).
During his playing career with the Panthers, Thornton became the only player in professional hockey history to begin his career after expansion and play in over 700 NHL games and 600 American Hockey League games. He is the only player this century to record 10 fights, score 10 goals and win the Stanley Cup in the same season.
He founded the Shawn Thornton Foundation in 2013 and serves as its president and director. The Shawn Thornton Foundation is dedicated to helping find cures for diseases close to his heart, specifically Parkinson's and cancer. Through his foundation, Thornton holds an annual “Pucks and Punches for Parkinson's” golf event and does charitable work throughout Boston and South Florida.
Thornton joined the Florida Panthers executive staff on June 1, 2017, after playing three seasons with the club over his 20-year professional hockey career. His memoir, “Fighting My Way to the Top,” was published in 2021.
The talk on April 8 is sponsored by Fitchburg State’s Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of Student Affairs, and the School of Business and Technology.