Hockey players wear a lot of gear, and in the NHL, they're expected to don formal wear on their way to and from the arena. So, with the season indefinitely paused due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it would be tough to blame them for dressing more casually while sheltered in place.
Sharks veteran Joe Thornton appears to be taking that to heart. Just look.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Well, the beard's still there. Phew.
Thornton and teammates Timo Meier and Marcus Sorensen recently participated in a brief Q&A, which you can find on the team's official website. Within it, the players were asked how they've been keeping busy, and it sounds like Jumbo has had his hands full with his kids.
In addition to being a self-described "pretty good math teacher," Thornton has maintained a hockey element in his quarantine lifestyle.
"We live on a hill," Thornton responded when asked how he's staying active, "so our family has been doing walks up and down it. Been playing a little badminton with the kids in the back, and lots of hockey with my six-year-old. LOTS of hockey. When we play, I'm usually in net, and I'm usually [former Shark] Al Stalock or Roberto Luongo. Sometimes I'll be Joney (Martin Jones) or Deller (Aaron Dell), but a lot of Al and Lou."
San Jose Sharks
The NHL extended its self-quarantine recommendations for players and staff again on Tuesday, this time until April 30. So, it would appear Thornton has at least that much longer to work on his goaltending skills.
[RELATED: California 'unlikely' to allow fans at games this summer]
In explaining what he misses about sports, "Joe Thornton’s trademark shirtless interviews" was one of the first things NBC Sports California's Brodie Brazil recently mentioned. We don't know when the next one will be, but in the meantime, hopefully his quarantine wardrobe selections -- or lack thereof -- will suffice.