Editing Paul Henderson (section)

===World Hockey Association===
Henderson struggled to adjust to his new-found popularity. While he appreciated the support from fans and the business opportunities it created,<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|pp=88–90}}</ref> he grew increasingly frustrated over time as the attention intruded on his private life.<ref name="LOH" /><ref>{{citation |last=Walker |first=Hal |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=M21kAAAAIBAJ&pg=1545,2793219 |title=World of Sport |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 27, 1973 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=58}}</ref> In his autobiography, ''Shooting for Glory'', Henderson stated that the fame left him less satisfied than he had ever been.<ref name="Henderson92">{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=92}}</ref> His frustrations with Maple Leafs owner [[Harold Ballard]], who Henderson felt was destroying the team, contributed to his developing an ulcer. (Henderson later admitted he was not mature enough at the time to deal with the acerbic Ballard).<ref>{{citation |last=Gerard |first=Warren |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/436689790 |title=Remember the goal? |work=Toronto Star |date=September 27, 1992 |access-date=October 12, 2013 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015000005/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/doc/436689790.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS |id={{ProQuest|436689790}} |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}</ref> He briefly turned to alcohol as he struggled to deal with his situation.<ref name="Henderson92" /> Henderson's professional career reached its lowest point during the [[1972–73 NHL season]]. He had become depressed, and by December, had scored only six goals.<ref name="OutofSpotlight">{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VJEjAAAAIBAJ&pg=2944,2729314 |title=Henderson is happy out of the spotlight |work=Montreal Gazette |date=December 29, 1979 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=53}}</ref> He struggled with a groin injury and played only 40 games for the Maple Leafs, who missed the playoffs.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=98}}</ref>

Prior to the [[1973–74 NHL season]], Henderson spoke to [[John F. Bassett|John Bassett]], owner of the [[World Hockey Association]] (WHA)'s [[Toronto Toros]]. Bassett offered Henderson a five-year contract worth twice his annual $75,000 salary from the Maple Leafs. The deal included a $50,000 signing bonus and performance bonuses based on how he played in his final year with the Maple Leafs. Henderson signed the contract, though he said in his autobiography that he regretted doing so before completing his term with his NHL club.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=99}}</ref> A bitter opponent of the WHA, Ballard had vowed not to lose more players to the rival league.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|Lajoie|2012|p=117}}</ref> When he found out about the deal, he offered Henderson the same contract terms, but without a signing bonus. Upset at how stingy Ballard had been with his teammates, Henderson told Ballard to "take this contract and shove it".<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=100}}</ref> An angered Ballard never forgave Henderson, and never spoke to him again.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=101}}</ref>

Following a 24-goal campaign in his final season with the Maple Leafs, Henderson officially moved to the WHA where he played in another tournament against the Soviets. While the original series was restricted to players from the NHL, the [[1974 Summit Series]] featured a Canadian team made up of WHA players.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=104}}</ref> The series lacked the intensity of the original, yet Henderson felt that he played well: he scored two goals and an assist, and though Canada finished with one win, four losses and three ties, he felt the WHA had proven itself.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|pp=104–105}}</ref> Henderson scored 33 goals and 63 points in the [[1974–75 WHA season]] for the Toros while playing 58 games. He missed the playoffs after tearing his knee ligaments in a game against the [[Phoenix Roadrunners (WHA)|Phoenix Roadrunners]] when colliding with Bob Mowat, an opposing player during a [[line (ice hockey)|line]] change.<ref name="Henderson1992-108">{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=108}}</ref>

Henderson scored 24 goals and 55 points in [[1975–76 WHA season|1975–76]], his last in Toronto.<ref name="LOH" /> Following that season, the Toros relocated to [[Alabama]] where they became the [[Birmingham Bulls (WHA)|Birmingham Bulls]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Mjg_AAAAIBAJ&pg=1142,5257294 |title=Toros moving to Birmingham |work=Windsor Star |date=June 30, 1976 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=56}}</ref> While his contract stipulated he did not have to relocate with the team,<ref name="Henderson1992-108" /> Henderson appreciated the chance to move to a city where he could play in relative anonymity.<ref name="OutofSpotlight" /> He played the final three years of his contract in Birmingham, scoring 23, 37 and 24 goals, but made only one playoff appearance during his five WHA seasons, in 1978.<ref name="LOH" />