Thomas Leonard "Len" Thornson - Born February 4, 1933 in Winnipeg, Manitoba - Died December 12, 2021 in Fort Wayne, Indiana was a Canadian/American ice Hockey centre and coach.

- Turnbull Memorial Trophy / Turnbull Cup Champion 1953 with St. Boniface Canadiens.
Memorial Cup finalist 1953.

- Turner Cup Champion 1963, 1965 with Fort Wayne Komets

- James Gatschne Trophy Winner (IHL MVP) 1958, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1967, 1968 with Fort Wayne Komets

- Leo P. Lamoureux Memorial Trophy Winner (IHL Most Points) 1962, 1964, 1967 with Fort Wayne Komets.

After finishing his junior Hockey career with Winnipeg Canadiens and St. Boniface Canadiens who he helped win the Turnbull Cup as Manitoba champions in 1953, Thornson turned pro.

He was property of the Montreal Canadiens who had a stacked roster and would soon win 5 Stanley Cup in a row (1956 to 60), and there were no roster spots for him, so Thornson would play his entire career in the minors.

Thornson first played pro for Buffalo Bisons, New Westminster Royals, Shawinigan Cataracts, Winnipeg Warriors, Huntington Hornets and Indianapolis Chiefs before he arrived in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1957 ....... He Never Left.

Thornson would play the next 12 seasons with the Fort Wayne Komets, leading the team in many categories, being named alternate captain and then team captain, Thornson would become known as Mr. Komet.

During his final season in 1968-69, which was cut short by a eye injury that ended his playing career, Thornson was also the team coach (player/coach).

Thornson finished his Komets career with 412 goals and 1,219 points in 763 regular-season games and 53 goals, 74 points in 92 IHL playoff games. He holds the Komets record for assists with 807 and points with 1,219.

Thornson retired as the All-Time leader in IHL points with 1252 and assists with 826.

After retiring as a player, Thornson settled in as a true ambassador to Hockey and especially Fort Wayne Komet Hockey.

Len Thornson is a "Honoured Member" of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame inducted in 1993.

Len Thornson was inducted in the Komet Hall of Fame in 1987

The Fort Wayne Komets retired his jersey number 11

In 1997, the Hockey News named Thornson the IHL’s Greatest Player of All-Time.

QUOTE
“Lenny Thornson was the Wayne Gretzky of the IHL,” said Komet General Manager David Franke.