A Bruin learns to bear down: the No. 1 overall pick of the 1997 draft lives up to the hype—finally—as he leads Boston toward the postseason - Interview: Joe Thornton - Interview

Hockey Digest, April, 2002 by Jeff Goodman

AFTER BEING SELECTED WITH the top overall pick by the Boston Bruins in 1997, Joe Thornton was hailed as the franchise's savior. He was hyped as a cross between Mario Lemieux and Eric Lindros, but the 17-year-old center wasn't ready for the big time--just yet.

Now, five years later, Thornton has started to fulfill that potential, becoming one of the top players in the league.

The London, Ontario native, who grew up idolizing Wayne Gretzky like so many other Canadian kids, was a quiet child, who admits he was in way over his head during his rookie campaign. While he still isn't a "rah-rah" guy, Thornton has become a lead-by-example type of player, who has earned the respect of his teammates and opponents as one of the future stars in the NHL.

Each season his numbers have improved steadily. Now he's looking to get the Bruins back into the playoffs after a two-year absence.

"He's got the capabilities to be the best player in this game, an all-around player," says teammate Bill Guerin, "He's such a complete player, and as long he wants to keep going, he's going to."

HOCKEY DIGEST recently sat down with Thornton to talk about his difficulty adjusting to the NHL, the Bruins' Cup chances this season, and what his future holds in Boston.

HOCKEY DIGEST: When did you feel like you started to live up to the expectations of being the No. 1 overall pick?

JOE THORNTON: Obviously, this is such a huge hockey city and I think there were a lot of expectations with all the great Bruins that have come through here. The first pick--it's huge. I think everybody has been great with me. They've had a lot of patience. Probably last year is when I started playing to my standards and I felt like I was coming into my own. That's when I stepped up a little bit.

HD: Was confidence the biggest difference in your change in play?

JT: Obviously, some confidence. But I was finally playing 20 minutes a game. The first couple years I was only playing 10 minutes. Once you get to play and play with good players, too, that's a big confidence booster as well.

HD: Do you feel that you were way over your head during your first year?

JT: Definitely. Just coming up from juniors, I didn't know guys were so strong here ... and the quick pace of the game. You're in a different league here. Moving to a big city like this was an ultra-adjustment for me. I'm finally over it now, which is nice.

HD: Was it tough to watch Sergei Samsonov excel as a rookie and win rookie of the year honors?

JT: It was nice because he was taking all the pressure off of me. He was doing so well. Everyone was looking at Sergei, so it was kinda like `OK, Joe is still so young. Good thing we've got Sergei--he's rookie of the year.' He took a lot of the pressure off me, so it was actually a big help for me.

HD: Talk about the differences in the three coaches you've had?

JT: Pat Burns didn't play me too much. He let me get my feet wet in this league. Mike Keenan put the challenge on me to play hard each and every night, and Robbie Ftorek has just been great, He wants you to explore your offensive instincts out there and for the offensive guys, he's been unbelievable for us. Each game he wants us to try different things and he's also been a great teacher for a lot of the guys. But all three of them have been very beneficial for me--in their own way.

HD: Does Robbie fit your personality better than your previous coaches?

JT: When he used to play, he used to be an offensive player so he knows when you're not scoring how you're feeling. He's a real laid-back guy and likes having fun. Hockey is his life and that's kind of like the same personality as me. You can talk about anything with him. He's a good listener and you can definitely put in your two cents worth with him.

HD: Would you rather score a goal, set someone up, or beat the crap out of someone in a fight?

JT: I like passing. I like giving Sergei the puck and I like to see everyone scoring. It's nice. Everybody's happy that way.

HD: You've gotten into your share of fights again this year. Is there any concern about dropping the gloves too often?

JT: You definitely have got to do it once in a while to kind of get your space out there. As long as I keep my knuckles fine, I'll be OK.

HD: What about the suspensions from last year. You've been able to avoid them this year. Is that something that has come with maturity?

JT: Last year was kind of my learning experience. Now I know how far to push the envelope. This year I've had my fair share of chances--I could have got them. I said to myself not too worry about it. I said to relax out there. I haven't gotten them this year and that's been a big help--that and staying healthy.

HD: Have guys gone after you more this year because you're playing better?

JT: I don't think so. I'm a bigger forward. I think maybe if I was little smaller they'd try to get at me more. But I'm a bigger forward so they don't really abuse me too much. It's been nice that way. No one's really gone out of their way to go at me.

HD: In terms of leadership, you've become a lot more relaxed this season. Would you like to be the captain of this team one day?