He was drafted 50th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. However, after returning to the OHL for the 2001–2002 season, the Centennials were sold to Saginaw and he split his season between the Saginaw Spirit and the Plymouth Whalers. On December 2, 2005, Thorburn made his NHL debut in 5-0 loss to the San Jose Sharks and recorded his first career NHL point the following game against the Colorado Avalanche. He was returned to American Hockey League on December 7, after playing in two games.