Boston Bruins fans received their first look at what life without Shawn Thornton might look like — well, sort of.
Thornton still is in the Boston area, and he was on the ice Tuesday morning at Ristuccia Arena in Wilmington, Mass., where he skated with a handful of ex-teammates at Bruins captains’ practice.
The veteran enforcer wasn’t wearing any black and gold or a spoked-B, though, as he took to the ice in his new Florida Panthers gear after signing with the team this offseason.
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Of course, non-Bruins skating at these informal practices is nothing new. The practice sessions normally serve as a chance for players in the area — no matter the team they play for — to get in some work before training camp opens.
Plenty of actual Bruins were at the practice session, with reigning Selke Trophy winner Patrice Bergeron leading the way.
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Bruins training camp begins Sept. 19.