Joe Thornton got one heck of a birthday present on Monday.
The Sharks announced that they have re-signed the veteran forward to a one-year contract. It also happens to be Thornton's 39th birthday.
According to The Athletic, the deal is worth $5 million and contains a no-trade clause.
The 2018-19 season will be Thornton's 14th with the Sharks and his 21st overall in the NHL.
"Joe has become one of the faces of this franchise since his arrival in 2005 and we feel it's only fitting that he will be wearing teal going forward. He is a generational playmaker and his accomplishments place him amongst the elite players to ever play the game. He has helped lead this team to new levels and continues to be one of the top two-way centers in the League. Nobody loves the game of hockey more than Joe Thornton and his leadership on and off the ice have been instrumental in this franchise's success. We're excited that he has continued his commitment to this organization and the fans in San Jose," Sharks GM Doug Wilson said in a statement.
Thornton finished with 13 goals and 23 assists in 47 games last season. He missed the final 35 games of the season due to torn right ACL and MCL.