Thornton Brings Energy

Forward Scott Thornton didn’t seem to fit the profile.

It was the first day free agents could sign, a day when marquee names get trotted out -- the gifted goal scorers, the high-end defensemen, the wall-like goaltenders. Thornton seemed a square peg in those categories.

Yet, the Kings signed him July 1, the same day they announced defenseman Rob Blake was returning to the team. Thornton possesses some of the same important qualities.

“Young players need direction, that’s crucial,” Coach Marc Crawford said. “Veterans like Rob Blake and Scott Thornton provide that. You want your young players around them.”

But Thornton, who signed a two-year, $3-million contract, is more than a high-priced youth counselor. His gritty style has been constant through 12 seasons, the last five with San Jose.

He is relentless on the ice, doing the bump and grind, which makes opposing players nervous.

“When you’re on the ice, you just know he’s coming,” center Craig Conroy said. “He’s going to finish his check and get the puck. He’s not a huge talker out there, he just keeps coming at you.”

That’s not to say Thornton is devoid of offensive skills. He scored 10 goals last season and had a career-high 26 in 2001-02. But it’s the on-ice energy he provides that makes him valuable.

“He goes 100 mph out there,” center Eric Belanger said. “That creates a lot of room for other guys to work.”

The Kings, seemingly short on limelight-like scorers, will need that kind of energy.

“Of course you want to score goals, but you also have to do the right things on the ice,” Thornton said.

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The Kings did not practice Thursday in Las Vegas, focusing on team-building exercises instead. They play Colorado at the MGM Grand on Saturday.

chris.foster@latimes.com