Shawn Thornton understands the job description well.
Thornton has been beating people up as an NHL enforcer for 13 seasons, so he definitely knows the art of making mental notes in order to exact revenge down the road. Perhaps that would explain why Thornton made it a point Thursday night during a scrum in the Florida Panthers’ playoff game against the New York Islanders to check out the back of Ryan Strome’s jersey.
Of course, there’s a good chance Thornton simply was trolling Strome, giving him the old “who the heck are you?” treatment. Enforcers have a knack for playing mind games, and few have been better at that craft over the last decade-plus than Thornton.
Be afraid, Ryan. Be very afraid.
Thumbnail photo via Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports Images
