Paul Henderson Hockey Hall Of Fame
The Early Life and Career of Paul Henderson
Paul Garnet Henderson was born on January 28, 1943, in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. He grew up playing hockey with his five siblings on the backyard rink that his father built every winter. Henderson's love for the game led him to play for the Hamilton Red Wings and the Toronto Marlboros in the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) before he joined the National Hockey League (NHL).
Henderson's NHL career began in 1962 when he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings. He played for the Red Wings, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Atlanta Flames during his 13-year career in the NHL. Henderson was known for his speed, agility, and scoring ability, which earned him a spot on the Team Canada roster for the 1972 Summit Series.
The Summit Series and Henderson's Historic Goal
The Summit Series was an eight-game tournament between Team Canada and the Soviet Union in September 1972. The series was highly anticipated, as it was the first time the best Canadian players from the NHL were competing against the Soviet team in international competition.
Henderson played a vital role on Team Canada during the Summit Series, scoring three game-winning goals in the last three games. However, it was his historic goal in the final seconds of the eighth and deciding game that cemented his legacy in Canadian hockey history.
With just 34 seconds left in the game, Henderson took a pass from Phil Esposito and fired a shot past Soviet goaltender Vladislav Tretiak to score the winning goal. The goal gave Team Canada a 6-5 victory over the Soviet Union and clinched the series for Canada.
Henderson's Legacy and Charity Work
Henderson's historic goal in the Summit Series made him a Canadian hero and a hockey legend. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013, joining the ranks of other great Canadian hockey players like Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr.
After retiring from hockey, Henderson continued to give back to his community by becoming involved in charity work. He founded the Paul Henderson Hockey Camps and the Henderson Flow Through Trust, a charity that supports cancer research and care.
Henderson's legacy as a hockey player and a philanthropist lives on, inspiring future generations of Canadian hockey players to pursue their dreams on and off the ice.
Conclusion
Paul Henderson's life and career as a legendary hockey player are a testament to the power of dedication, passion, and hard work. His historic goal in the 1972 Summit Series will forever be remembered as one of the greatest moments in Canadian sports history, and his legacy as a hockey player and philanthropist will continue to inspire and motivate people for years to come.
