Joe Thornton said his surgically repaired left knee is 100 percent healthy after suffering a tear of the MCL and ACL on April 2nd.

Thornton missed the San Jose Sharks' final three regular-season games and their first two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Two weeks after being injured, he played Game 3 of the Western Conference First Round against the Edmonton Oilers. Thornton played the final four games of the series, which the Sharks lost in six games.

Thornton returned to the ice by early August, then, after a break, he "started ramping it up" two weeks ago.

"Jumbo is one of the most unique athletes, forget about hockey players, that I have ever seen," Sharks general manager Doug Wilson said. "Nobody loves the game more than Joe Thornton. The amount of work he's put in rehab wise and fitness wise is such an inspiration to everybody in this organization. If we were starting [the season] tomorrow, he'd be ready to go."