MONTREAL — Joe Thornton’s youthful enthusiasm for the game of hockey is plainly discernible to just about anyone that’s had the opportunity to either coach or skate with the future Hall of Fame center.



Oh, and family, too. John Thornton, his brother and agent, even managed to put a number on it, reducing Joe’s age by a full 30 years.



“The work and passion he has for the game is just like when he was eight (years old),” he said.



“He didn’t play with toys or video games, it was all sports all the time. And never once do I remember Dad forcing him to do anything. He’s self-driven.”



That drive has remained throughout 20 seasons and nearly 1,500 games of NHL experience, and it currently has Thornton, 38, leading the Sharks in scoring nearly halfway through the season with 27 points (eight goals, 19 assists). He has at least one point in 12 of his last 18 games, with 17 points (six goals, 11...