Bruins F Shawn Thornton set to return from 15-game suspension

The Boston Bruins will have all around tough guy Shawn Thornton back in their lineup Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. The forward has served his 15-game suspension after an attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik.

When Thornton arrived in the dressing room in San Jose with the rest of his teammates, he was happy to know he wouldn't have to do on-ice sessions with assistant coach Doug Jarvis anymore. Back to practice and games for Thornton.

"It’s been a long, long, long time. I don’t want to sound like I’m bitching, like I’m the victim here, but five weeks is a long time not to be playing. I’m looking forward to (tomorrow in San Jose), to hopefully play and start moving forward, focusing on the tasks ahead and not on the past. I’ll be back to the way I played 500-plus regular-season and however many playoff games. I crossed the line; it wasn't the norm for me, and I’ll try not to never do that again. I think the way I carried myself before is fine and I’ll go back to that." Quote via Stephen Harris

Thornton has also mended his relationship with Orpik who has since accepted Thornton's apology.

"We’re still friends. He basically said things happen in the heat of the moment, that he’s been guilty of it, too. He’s feeling better. That helped a lot. I still have to text him congrats for making the Olympic team. I keep forgetting to do it. Obviously everything that happened shouldn't have happened, so I’m sure there’s remorse on both sides." Quote via Stephen Harris