September 1972 Henderson achieves hockey fame in Canada after scoring the game-winning goals in the final three games of the eight-game Summit Series, leading Canada to a thrilling victory. He finishes the tournament with 7 goals and 3 assists for 10 points in 8 games played. The goal in the last game was recently declared the greatest sports moment of the twentieth century, and Team Canada ‘72 was voted the Team of the Century.
1972–73 Limited by injuries to 40 regular-season games, scores 18 goals and 16 assists. Toronto finishes sixth in the East Division (thirteenth among 16 teams) and fails to qualify for the playoffs.
January 30, 1973 Played in the twenty-sixth NHL All-Star Game for the East Division All-Stars. Wearing number 21, Henderson gives the East a 3–1 lead at 19:12 of the second period on a goal assisted by Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge. The East wins 5–4 before 16,986 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
1973–74 Seventh 20-goal season for Paul Henderson: 24 goals and 31 assists for 55 points in 69 regular-season games. Leafs rebound to fourth place in the East (and sixth overall), but are swept 4 straight by Boston in the quarter-finals. In the 4 games, Paul records 2 assists.
1974 Leaves the Toronto Maple Leafs and the NHL, joining the Toronto Toros of the rival WHA.
September 1974 Participates in the 1974 Summit Series. This time, the Russians win, taking 4 of the 8 games. Team Canada, represented by the WHA’S top players, wins just 1 game, and the other 3 are played to a draw. Henderson plays in 7 games, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist for three points.
1974–75 Scores 30 goals and 33 assists in 58 regular-season games with the Toros, averaging better than a point a game. Toros’ record of 43–33–2 ranks them second in the WHA Canadian Division (fifth overall out of 14 teams). A season-ending knee injury keeps Paul out of the playoffs, in which the Toros lose 4–2 to the San Diego Mariners in the first round.
1975–76 Scores 26 goals and 29 assists for 55 points in 65 regular-season games with the Toros. Toronto finishes with the worst point total among the 12 teams that complete the season, and fails to make the playoffs.
1976–77 The Toronto Toros relocate to Birmingham, Alabama, over the off-season and become the Bulls. Paul scores 23 goals and 25 assists for 48 points in 81 regular-season games. The Bulls miss the playoffs.
1977–78 Scores 37 goals and 29 assists for 66 points in 80 regular-season games played with the Bulls. The Bulls finish sixth in the eight-team WHA, and meet Winnipeg in the first round of playoffs. Henderson scores a goal and adds an assist in the series, won 4–1 by the Jets.
1978–79 One of only three players over age 30 on a team known as the “Baby Bulls.” Scores 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points in 76 regular-season games with the Bulls, who do not qualify for the playoffs.
1979–80 The Birmingham Bulls, who are not one of the four WHA teams admitted to the NHL, join the minor-pro Central Hockey League. Paul continues to play for them, registering 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 47 regular-season games. Also returns to the NHL with the Atlanta Flames, scoring 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points in 30 regular-season games. Scores 2 goals against Toronto in his return to Maple Leaf Gardens. The Flames are defeated 3–1 in the first round of the playoffs. Henderson appears in all four games.
1980–81 Appears in 35 regular-season games with Birmingham, scoring 6 goals and 11 assists. Team disbands before the season is over. Rather than join the parent Calgary Flames, Henderson chooses to retire.
1984 Begins helping men develop for leadership with the LeaderImpact Group, where he still works today, and holds two Honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees.
1995 Inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
1997 In January, the Canadian Mint launches a commemorative coin depicting Paul’s goal in game eight of the 1972 Summit Series. This is the first time a living person other than the king or queen has been depicted on a Canadian coin. Canada Post introduces a stamp celebrating the moment.
1998 Receives the Ontario Special Achievement Award for his contribution to minor hockey.
2002 Is awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Award for distinguished community service.
2011 In September, Henderson, along with his jersey worn in the Summit Series, embarks on a tour of eastern Canada, beginning in his hometown of Lucknow, Ontario. By mid-February 2012, it has stopped in more than 40 towns. In Montreal, he is joined by Soviet goaltender Vladislav Tretiak and Montreal Canadiens legend Yvan Cournoyer. The trio participated in a ceremonial puck drop at the Bell Centre on January 7, 2012.
2012 Celebrates the fortieth anniversary of the 1972 Canada–Russia Summit Series with his teammates in a month of festivities.
APPENDIX 2
Paul for the Hall
PAUL HENDERSON HAS NOT BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE Hockey Hall of Fame and his thoughts on that are documented in this book. He has no problem with his not being in the Hall, but many Canadians don’t feel the same way.
A new website has been created to garner support for his induction. It’s at PutPaulIntheHall.ca. The Hockey Hall of Fame does acknowledge his great career in a biography on its website, LegendsofHockey.net.
You can also get more information on the campaign to get Paul Henderson inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame at LegendsofHockey.net.
APPENDIX 3
Cops for Cancer
PAUL HENDERSON’S SERIES-WINNING GOAL DURING the 1972 Summit Series was voted the Goal of the Century by the Canadian Press in the year 2000. Today, the new goal of the century is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer.
As is documented in this book, Paul was himself diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of cancer that he continues to battle today. Since his diagnosis, Paul has worked tirelessly to help end cancer in our lifetimes.
Cops for Cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society, Fruit of the Loom, Heritage Hockey, and Paul have all partnered to create a program to help raise funds to support the continuing battle to eradicate cancer. A beautiful commemorative T-shirt is on sale throughout the country, with a portion of the proceeds going to assist in this fight.
Paul Henderson’s “Goal of the Century” is now being used in the fight toward the modern Goal of the Century. The T-shirt features the famous picture of Paul celebrating The Goal moments after it went in, with Paul’s signature underneath and the words “THE GOAL” running down the right side.
You can join in the fight to cure cancer by purchasing a shirt at HeritageHockey.com.
APPENDIX 4
1972 Team Canada
TEAM CANADA REALLY WAS A TEAM. HERE ARE SOME profiles of the players and coaches, providing a bit of background on their accomplishments before and after the series.
DON AWREY
Born: July 18, 1943, Kitchener, Ontario
• Nicknamed “Elbows.”
• Suffered from a congenital back condition that nearly cost him the ability to walk, let alone play hockey. Took the chance at an operation with a 50 percent success rate that he would walk again, and the surgery was a success.
• Played in two games in the 1972 Summit Series.
• Was a key player on three Stanley Cup–winning teams with Boston (1970, 1972) and Montreal (1976), but his name was not engraved on the Stanley Cup for his win with the Canadiens due to the fact that he did not dress in the playoffs. That rule was changed just a couple of years later. His name is still not on the Cup from that winning season.
• Played in 979 NHL games between 1963–64 and 1978–79 (31 goals, 158 assists, 189 points).
• Played in the 1974 All-Star Game.
• Started his own charter bus company after his playing career was finished, in which he transported Boston Bruins fans from Boston to Montreal to watch games at the Montreal Forum.
• Is currently residing in Florida.
GORDON “RED” BERENSON
Born: December 8, 1939, Regina, Saskatchewan
• Played in two games in the 1972 Summit Series (one assist).
• Nicknamed “The Red Baron.”
• Was a member of world-champion Belleville McFarlands, 1959.
• Became a star with the St. Louis Blues in 1968–69 (eighth in NHL in scoring with 35 goals and 47 assists for 82 points in 76 regular-season games; 7 goals, 3 assists, 10 points in 12 playoff games).
• Is the only player in NHL history to score 6 goals in 1 game on the road (November 7, 1968, at Philadelphia).
• Played in 987 NHL games between 1961–62 and 1977–78 (261 goals, 397 assists, 658 points).
• Played in five All-Star games (1965, 1969–72, 1974).
• Won Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year, 1980–81.
• Has been head coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines since 1984, winning NCAA championships in 1996 and 1998.
GARY BERGMAN
Born: October 7, 1938, Kenora, Ontario
Died: December 8, 2000 (age 62)
• Won the Turnbull Cup (Manitoba Junior Hockey League Champions) as a member of the Winnipeg Braves in 1959. The Braves also went on that year to win the Memorial Cup by defeating the Peterborough TPT Petes (4–1).
• Played in all eight games of the 1972 Summit Series, registering three assists.
• Played 838 NHL games between 1964–65 and 1975–76 (68 goals, 299 assists, 367 points) for the Detroit Red Wings, Minnesota North Stars, and Kansas City Scouts.
• Played in the 1973 All-Star Game.
• Captained the Detroit Red Wings in the 1973–74 season.
• Is an honoured member of both Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
WAYNE CASHMAN
Born: June 24, 1945, Kingston, Ontario
• Nicknamed “Cash.”
• Played in two games in the 1972 Summit Series, assisting on two goals and compiling 14 penalty minutes.
• Played in 1,027 NHL games between 1964–65 and 1982–83, all with the Boston Bruins (277 goals, 516 assists, 793 points).
• Played left wing on a line with Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge, forming one of the most dangerous forward units in the NHL.
• Was a member of two Stanley Cup champions (1970, 1972).
• Was Second Team All-Star at left wing, 1974.
• Played in the 1974 All-Star Game.
• Was seventh in the NHL in scoring in 1970–71 (21 goals, 58 assists, 79 points) and fourth in 1973–74 (30 goals, 59 assists, 89 points).
• Captained the Bruins from 1978–1983.
• Was the last player from the “Original Six” era to retire.
• Was head coach of Philadelphia Flyers for 61 games in 1997–98 (32–20–9).
• Was assistant coach of New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks, Philadelphia Flyers, and Boston Bruins between 1987 and 2006.
• Was a member of the Team Canada coaching staff for the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
BOBBY CLARKE
Born: August 13, 1949, Flin Flon, Manitoba
• Played in all eight games in the 1972 Summit Series, scoring two goals and four assists for six points, while collecting 18 minutes in penalties.
• Played in 1,144 NHL games between 1969–70 and 1983–84, all with Philadelphia (358 goals, 852 assists, 1,210 points).
• Won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’S most valuable player three times (1973, 1975, 1976).
• Won the Frank Selke Trophy as the NHL’S top defensive forward in 1983.
• Won the Bill Masterton Trophy (for perseverance and sportsmanship) in 1972.
• Won the Lester B. Pearson Award (as the NHL Players’ Association’s choice as most valuable player), 1972–73.
• Was Second Team All-Star at centre, 1972–73 and 1973–74.
• Was First Team All-Star at centre, 1974–75 and 1975–76.
• Was captain of Stanley Cup championship teams, 1974 and 1975.
• Was captain of Team Canada at 1976 Canada Cup.
• Played in eight All-Star games (1970–75, 1977–78).
• Led NHL in assists, 1974–75 (89) and 1975–76 (89).
• Topped 100 points three times (1972–73, 1974–75, 1975–76).
• Became an officer of the Order of Canada, 1981.
• Earned a bronze medal at the 1982 World Championships in Finland.
• Was general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers (1984–1990, 1994–2006), Minnesota North Stars (1990–92), and Florida Panthers (1993–94); teams reached Stanley Cup Finals in 1985, 1987, 1991, and 1997.
• Was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.
• Was general manager of Team Canada at 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan.
• Is currently the senior vice president of the Philadelphia Flyers, since December 2006.
YVAN COURNOYER
Born: November 22, 1943, Drummondville, Quebec
• Played in all eight games in the 1972 Summit Series, scoring three goals and two assists for five points.
• Was known as “The Roadrunner,” for his blinding speed.
• Played in 968 NHL games between 1963–64 and 1978–79, all with Montreal (428 goals, 435 assists, 863 points).
• Was captain of Montreal Canadiens, 1975–78.
• Was a member of 10 Stanley Cup championship teams (1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1976–79).
• Played in six All-Star games (1967, 1971–74, 1978).
• Won Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1973.
• Scored Stanley Cup–clinching goal in 1973.
• Was second Team All-Star at right wing in 1969, 1971, 1972, and 1973.
• Was sixth in NHL in scoring in 1968–69 (43 goals, 44 assists, 87 points) and eighth in 1971–72 (47 goals, 36 assists, 83 points).
• Led NHL in power-play goals, 1966–67 (20).
• Led NHL in game-winning goals in 1975–76 (12), and tied for lead in 1966–67 (7).
• Retired after the 1978–1979 season due to back problems.
• Was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1982.
• Coached the Montreal Roadrunners during the 1994–95 season.
• Was assistant coach of the Montreal Canadiens during the 1996–97 season.
• Currently serves as an official ambassador for the Montreal Canadiens.
MARCEL DIONNE
Born: August 3, 1951, Drummondville, Quebec
• Although selected for Team Canada, did not play in the 1972 Summit Series.
• Nicknamed “The Little Beaver.”
• Was selected second overall by Detroit in the 1971 Amateur Draft.
• Played in 1,348 NHL games between 1971–72 and 1988–89 (731 goals, 1,040 assists, 1,771 points) for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers.
• Played in eight All-Star games (1975–78, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1985).
• Won the Lady Byng Trophy as NHL’S most gentlemanly player twice (1974–75, 1976–77).
• Won the Lester B. Pearson Trophy as NHL Players’ Association’s choice as MVP twice (1978–79, 1979–80).
• Won the Art Ross Trophy as NHL’S leading scorer in 1979–80.
• Was first Team All-Star at centre, 1976–77 and 1979–80.
• Was second Team All-Star at centre, 1978–79 and 1980–81.
• Scored at least 50 goals six times (1976–77, 1978–79 through 1982–83) and at least 100 points eight times (1974–75, 1976–77, 1978–79 through 1982–83, 1984–85).
• Played for Team Canada in 1976 and 1981 Canada Cups as well as six World Championships (1977–79, 1982, 1983, 1986).
• Is fifth on the NHL’S all-time point-scoring list, behind Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Gordie Howe, and Ron Francis.
• Is fourth on the NHL’S all-time goal-scoring list, behind Gretzky, Howe, and Brett Hull.
• Was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992.
• In January 2004, Canada Post featured Dionne and five other NHL All-Stars on a postage stamp as part of the
NHL All-Stars Collection.
• The Centre Civique Arena in Drummondville, Quebec, was renamed Centre Marcel Dionne after he retired.
• Currently resides in Niagara Falls, Ontario, where he runs and operates Marcel Dionne Incorporated, a vast sports memorabilia store. He is also a royal ambassador for the Los Angeles Kings.
KEN DRYDEN
Born: August 8, 1947, Hamilton, Ontario
• Played four games in the 1972 Summit Series (2–2, 4.75 goals-against average).
• Was the goaltender for the crucial game eight, which Canada won to clinch the series.
• Was selected fourteenth overall by Boston in the 1964 Amateur Draft.
• Joined the Montreal Canadiens with six games to go in the 1970–71 season.
• Won the Stanley Cup with the Canadiens that season, while capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
• Won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year the following season.
• Was a member of six Stanley Cup champions (1971, 1973, 1976–79).
• Played in five All-Star games (1972, 1975–78).
• Won the Vezina Trophy five times (1972–73, 1975–76 through 1978–79).
• Was second Team All-Star in goal, 1971–72.
• Was first Team All-Star in goal five times (1972–73, 1975–76 through 1978–79).
• Led NHL in wins, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1975–76, and 1976–77.
• Led NHL in goals-against average, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1977–78, and 1978–79.
• Played in 397 NHL games; career record 258–57–74 with a 2.24 goals-against average and 46 shutouts.
• Ken’s career winning percentage of .758 is the best in NHL history among goaltenders.
• Was a colour commentator for the Miracle on Ice during the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.
• Was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.
The Goal of My Life Page 21