Chris Thorburn is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on June 3, 1983, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. Thorburn began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the North Bay Centennials in 1999. He played for the Centennials for three seasons before being drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.
Thorburn made his NHL debut with the Sabres in the 2005-06 season, playing in 41 games and recording four points. He spent the next two seasons with the Sabres before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007. Thorburn played in 18 games for the Penguins before being claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Thrashers.
Thorburn played for the Thrashers for six seasons, from 2007 to 2011. He was known for his physical play and his ability to fight, and he quickly became a fan favorite in Atlanta. Thorburn played in 709 games for the Thrashers and their successor, the Winnipeg Jets, scoring 49 goals and recording 69 assists.
In 2017, Thorburn signed with the St. Louis Blues as a free agent. He played in 50 games for the Blues in the 2017-18 season, scoring one goal and recording six assists. Thorburn became a free agent again after the season and did not sign with another team.
Throughout his career, Thorburn was known for his toughness and his willingness to stand up for his teammates. He was a respected veteran in the locker room and was often praised for his leadership and work ethic. Thorburn was also involved in various charitable organizations throughout his career, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House.
In 2019, Thorburn announced his retirement from professional hockey. He finished his career with 53 goals and 81 assists in 801 NHL games. Thorburn was known as a hard-working, physical player who was always willing to do whatever it took to help his team win. He was a beloved teammate and a respected opponent, and his contributions to the game of hockey will not be forgotten.
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