Kathryn Tappen of NESN.com reported last night, that Bruins’ fourth-line winger Shawn Thornton has re-signed with the team for two more years. There’s no official word as of yet, but the announcement is expected to be later today.

The Oshawa, Ontario, native was originally drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the seventh round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, and was picked-up by Boston via free-agency on Jul. 1, 2007, where he was inked to a three-year, $1.5M contract. Thornton has posted 11-17-28 scoring totals in 211 games over three season in Boston, with a minus-12 rating, 338 penalty minutes, 320 shots on goal, and roughly 8:50 of average ice time per game.

The 32-year-old Thornton was an impending unrestricted free-agent on Jul. 1, 2010, and apparently now has two more seasons to patrol the ice in Black-and-Gold.

Here’s an excerpt from my Bruins report card: No. 22 Shawn Thornton posted on May 22.

When it comes to fourth-line grinders who play limited minutes, Thornton does it among the best. When he’s a healthy scratch during the season or even in the playoffs in favor of other players, Thornton takes the seat in the press box like a true professional. He’s a hard-working, soldier of a hockey player who is much more valuable to this team than on the surface.

And for $550K this year, Thornton’s services should deem him a bump in pay next season. And it’s the tab that Chiarelli absolutely must pick up.

Update: It’s official.