Another milestone had Joe Thornton reminiscing.

The San Jose Sharks center and legendary passer became the 13th player in NHL history to collect 1,000 career assists in Monday's victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

It was the supporting cast of goal-scorers who contributed to the grand total on his mind when he spoke about the achievement afterward.

"Honestly, I've been lucky enough to stay healthy all these years and play with a lot of good scorers," Thornton said, according to Darren Bauming of the San Jose Mercury News. "For a passer that's probably the key - it's just having the Jonathan Cheechoos, the Glen Murrays, the Joe Pavelskis, you know, the Patty Marleaus.

"The list goes on and on and on - the guys that I've played with over the years have put the puck in the back of the net, so I've been lucky to be set up with those guys."

The incomparable vision and pinpoint accuracy that Thornton's used to scale the all-time list wasn't necessary for No. 1,000. Defending a one-goal lead late in the game, Thornton scooped up a blocked shot and initiated a clean zone exit by patiently moving the puck to Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Vlasic then pushed it up to Pavelski who swept the puck under the stick of Nikolaj Ehlers, and into the vacated net.

Regardless of the aesthetic, it was cause for celebration.

"It's always nice to get these things when you get the two points and you can have some fun on the plane on the way home."

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