Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - Thornton akaedza kunyorwa muna 1996 NHL draft asi haana kusarudzwa nechikwata chipi nechipi. Akabva aendeswa kuNHL neToronto Maple Leafs muna 1997
Thornton haana kumbobvira atamba 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.