“I’m sure Arno will see”: Thornton is back on the Swiss ice

NHL star Joe Thornton is back on the Swiss ice! The Canadian should make his new comeback at HC Davos on Saturday, against a known opponent.

National League Transfer Hammer: Joe Thornton temporarily returns to HC Davos. Already in 2004/05 and 2012/13, the now 41-year-old enjoyed the Swiss ice rinks, back then due to the two lockouts.

Now the cult figure, who has made nearly $ 110 million in the NHL for 23 years, is in negotiations for a new NHL contract. Both the San Jose and the Toronto Maple Leafs are said to show great interest in the veteran. But first, Thornton’s path leads him to Davos, where he wants to save time until the start of the season in North America, for many reasons.

Thornton has been in Davos since August and completed the full training program with the team, plus additional private units. As his wife Tabea is from Davos, the forward has spent the summer at Landwassertal for years. He has his own key to the arena and the training rooms and therefore has access at all times.

“I’ll be tired after the first shift”

“Joe is not a newcomer. He’s already one of us, ”says coach Christian Wohlwend, for example. Additionally, Thornton has held a Swiss passport for a year and therefore does not overcharge the HCD foreign quota. Davos’ salary account is also saved, because the NHL star plays for free, at least for the moment. A small compensation for their missions has been agreed upon, but will only be paid next season. And only if the consequences of the crown season allow it.

Thornton will play for Grisons for the first time on Saturday in the home game against the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers. That brings back memories: in 2012, the opponent was again named Thornton Rappi for the first appearance; at that time he was preparing three goals from his attacking partner Rick Nash in the opening third.

However, respect for the return is great, as Thornton admits in an interview with the Tagesanzeiger: “My time in game situations will no longer be there, I have to find it again. And I’ll be tired after the first shift, tired after the first third. And only the next morning … it will be a challenge. “

Although it is already the second round on Swiss ice, Thornton will not play at all with coach Arno del Curto, who resigned at Davos at the end of 2018. However, Thronton is confident that he can count on the support of his current friend: I’ve already spoken to Arno. I’m sure you will see my first game. ”