Pedzisa mutsara unotevera: Thornton akaedza kunyorwa muna 1996 NHL draft asi haana kusarudzwa nechikwata chipi nechipi. Akabva adzorerwa kuNHL neToronto Maple Leafs muna
1997, 190th yose, Thornton haana kumbotamba kuToronto uye akatengeswa kuChicago Blackhawks mumwaka wa2001-02. Mushure memwaka mitanhatu yekudzoka pakati peNHL neAHL pakati peChicago neAnaheim Ducks franchise, Thornton akakunda rake rekutanga basa Stanley Cup mumwaka wake wekupedzisira neDucks muna 2006<unk>07.