It’s never about ceremony for Shawn Thornton.

Ironically, he was plucked from the Ducks by Boston as a free agent shortly after parading Lord Stanley when Anaheim won the Cup in 2007, and again in 2011 when he helped the Bruins to a celebration not seen on Causeway Street since 1972.

Last May, the Bruins announced they would not re-sign Thornton after seven years that included 480 games and, seemingly, a like number of memorable hits and bouts and shouts that endeared him to Bruins’ fans in a mold like that of Stan Jonathan, Lyndon Byers and John Wensink. But Thornton’s penchant for pugilism is a 12-minute-a-game facade, when introspection takes precedence over superficiality.

It’s Military Appreciation Night on Veterans’ Day last week in Sunrise, Florida, at the BB&T Center, where Thornton, adorning his traditional No. 22 for the Florida Panthers, is in the sunset of his career. Between periods against the San Jose Sharks, the Panthers parade out worthy local war heroes and their families to honor their service – and sacrifice — to America.

Thornton, pointless thus far in his new digs, sends a nifty backhand pass across the crease to Tomas Fleischmann that finds a smooth deflection path past Antti Niemi for an exclamation-point third-period goal in the Panthers’ 4-1 win.

A few minutes later, Thornton sits modestly in front of a media throng adorned in a military jacket voted by teammates as his reward for player of the game.

Shawn Thornton wears the military jacket postgame given to the Panthers’ player of the game. Photo by Jean Ferreira.

“I’m not deserving to wear this jacket,” Thornton says immediately. “But I appreciate it”

That’s Thornton at his best. Deflecting attention, while focusing on the common good.

That morning, in an exclusive interview with Bruins Daily, Thornton shows the side that defines the man first, hockey player second.

Three themes emerge: memorable Bruin experiences, paying it forward, reflection and direction.

“Other than winning two Cups,” he said, “the Winter Classic is my favorite memory in Boston. Walking out of the [Red Sox] dugout and being able to see Bobby Orr. I think I was three or four people behind him and walking out into that arena. I had been around him before, but just that whole scene and looking back and seeing 35,000 people screaming. I had been to Fenway a ton in the off-season, like weekly I think.

“I’m still pissed we lost to Chicago [in the 2013 Final] and last year [against Montreal in the playoffs]. We had teams that definitely could have hoisted that trophy again. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. You need a lot of things to come together to win.”

While the Sunshine State is (a temporary) home, Thornton’s ties to Boston are tight.

On a light and ironic note, he and his two dogs sitting in front of the Bunker Hill Monument adorn next month’s Bruins’ “Pucks and Pups” calendar.

“My wife is here with me; no kids, just the dogs and us while Kevan Miller rents my place in Charlestown,” he smiled. “And me and Tuukka still got the boat. Everybody asks me about getting it down here, but it’s still in Boston.”

Where Thornton’s heart – and foundation – is paying a lot forward by making a lot of things come together off the ice.

After losing his grandmother to a 14-year battle with Parkinson’s and hearing the touching stories of so many cancer patients and their families during hospital visits, Thornton was inspired to take the next step in his charitable efforts by founding The Shawn Thornton Foundation with the mission to help cure life-threatening diseases, specifically Parkinson’s and cancer. In 2009, he received the John P. Bucyk Award, which honors the Bruins player who has contributed the most to charitable, and community endeavors.

“You know,” he said pensively, “I don’t have any regrets, other than the one incident. I feel like I gave back a ton to the community. I met a lot of great people and still have a ton of great friends. Still trying to give back to the community through the foundation, even though we’re not there right now. But we’re also going to start doing that stuff down here soon. I have nothing but fond memories.”

Hinting at retirement after next season, he said: “I’m not sure I’ll play anymore after these two years. We kept our place in Boston and will probably go back this summer.”

After retirement, Shawn?

“As of right now, the plan is to move back there.”

To Boston, where everybody knows his name – and “Thorty’s” real game.

Relive what Thornton had to say following his return to Boston.