Editing Paul Henderson

{{short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1943)}}
{{other people}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{featured article}}
{{Infobox ice hockey player
| name         = Paul Henderson<br /><small>{{nobold|{{post-nominals|country=CAN|size=100%|CM|OOnt}}}}</small>
| image        = Paul Henderson - 2019 (32680141527) (cropped).jpg
| caption      = Henderson in 2019
| image_size   = 230px
| alt          = Paul Henderson at an awards ceremony
| position     = [[Winger (ice hockey)|Left wing]]
| shoots       = Right
| height_ft    = 5
| height_in    = 10
| weight_lb    = 180
| played_for   = {{ubl|[[Detroit Red Wings]]|[[Toronto Maple Leafs]]|[[Toronto Toros]]|[[Birmingham Bulls (WHA)|Birmingham Bulls]]|[[Atlanta Flames]]}}
| ntl_team     = CAN
| birth_date   = {{birth_date and age|1943|1|28}}
| birth_place  = [[Kincardine, Ontario]], Canada
| career_start = 1962
| career_end   = 1981
}}

'''Paul Garnet Henderson''' {{Post-nominals|post-noms=[[Order of Canada|CM]] [[Order of Ontario|OOnt]]}} (born January 28, 1943) is a Canadian former professional [[ice hockey]] player. A [[Winger (ice hockey)|left winger]], Henderson played 13 seasons in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) for the [[Detroit Red Wings]], [[Toronto Maple Leafs]] and [[Atlanta Flames]] and five in the [[World Hockey Association]] (WHA) for the [[Toronto Toros]] and [[Birmingham Bulls (WHA)|Birmingham Bulls]]. He played over 1,000 games between the two major leagues, scoring 376 [[goal (ice hockey)|goal]]s and 758 [[point (ice hockey)|point]]s. Henderson played in two [[NHL All-Star Game]]s and was a member of the 1962 [[Memorial Cup]]-winning [[Hamilton Red Wings]] team as a [[Junior ice hockey|junior]].

Henderson is best known for playing for [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Team Canada]] in the 1972 [[Summit Series]] against the [[Soviet Union national ice hockey team|Soviet Union]]. Played during the [[Cold War]], the series was viewed as a battle for both hockey and cultural supremacy. Henderson scored the game-winning goal in the sixth, seventh and eighth games, the last of which has become legendary in Canada and made him a national hero: it was voted the "sports moment of the century" by [[The Canadian Press]] and earned him numerous accolades. Henderson has twice been inducted into [[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]]: in 1995 individually and in 2005 along with all players of the Summit Series team. He was inducted into the [[IIHF Hall of Fame|International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame]] in 2013.

A [[Born again (Christianity)|born-again Christian]], Henderson became a minister, motivational speaker and author following his playing career. He has co-written three books related to hockey or his life. Henderson was made a Member of the [[Order of Canada]] in 2013 and of the [[Order of Ontario]] in 2014.

==Early life==
Henderson was born January 28, 1943, near [[Kincardine, Ontario]].<ref name="CowanHHOF">{{citation |last=Cowan |first=Stu |url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/paul-henderson-should-be-in-hockey-hall-of-fame? |title=Paul Henderson should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame |work=Montreal Gazette |date=June 26, 2012 |access-date=January 25, 2023}}</ref> His mother, Evelyn, went into labour while staying at his father's parents' farm in the nearby community of [[Ashfield–Colborne–Wawanosh|Amberley]] during a [[snowstorm]].<ref name="Henderson1992-5">{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=5}}</ref> She gave birth to Paul while the family was crossing [[Lake Huron]] via horse-drawn sleigh attempting to reach the hospital in Kincardine.<ref name="CowanHHOF" /> His father, Garnet, was fighting for Canada during the Second World War at the time and did not meet his son until Paul was nearly three years old.<ref name="Henderson1992-5" /> Garnet worked for the [[Canadian National Railway]] following his return and the family – Paul was the eldest to brother Bruce and sisters Marilyn, Coralyn and Sandra<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=7}}</ref> – moved frequently to different posts in Ontario before settling in [[Lucknow, Ontario|Lucknow]].<ref name="Henderson1992-5" />

The family often struggled financially, though Garnet was always able to provide the basic life necessities.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=6}}</ref> Paul's first experiences with hockey came at a young age in the basement of a local restaurant serving western fare operated by Charlie Chin, an immigrant from China who settled in Lucknow. Henderson played with Chin's youngest sons using a ball instead of a puck.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|Lajoie|2012|p=13}}</ref> The Chin family gave Henderson his first set of hockey equipment;<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=8}}</ref> he had been using old catalogues as shin pads.<ref>{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=224}}</ref> His father coached his youth teams, and at one [[minor hockey]] tournament, told his teammates simply to "just give the puck to Paul and get out of his way". That incident remained with Henderson throughout his life: while it embarrassed him at the time to be singled out in front of his friends and teammates, he later realized it stood as an affirmation and expression of his father's pride in him and his abilities.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|Lajoie|2012|pp=5–6}}</ref>

It was in Lucknow where Henderson met his future wife, Eleanor, at the age of 15 while he was working at a grocery store.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|Lajoie|2012|p=8}}</ref> They married in 1962 and, wanting to ensure he could provide for his wife, he considered giving up the game to become a history and physical education teacher.<ref name="Henderson2012-p11">{{harvnb|Henderson|Lajoie|2012|p=11}}</ref> His father convinced him to remain in hockey, warning him that he would regret it for the rest of his life if he never tried to make the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL).<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|pp=16–17}}</ref> After considering his father's advice and talking with Eleanor, Henderson decided to play two additional years, and if he had not reached the NHL by 1964, he would quit the game and focus on his education.<ref name="Henderson2012-p11" />

==Playing career==

===Junior===
Henderson attracted the attention of NHL scouts at the age of 15 when he scored 18 goals and 2 [[assist (ice hockey)|assist]]s in a 21–6 victory in a juvenile playoff game.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|Lajoie|2012|p=235}}</ref> The [[junior hockey|junior]] affiliates of both the [[Boston Bruins]] and [[Detroit Red Wings]] offered him tryouts. He chose to sign with the Red Wings as their junior teams were based in [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], which was closest to his home.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=10}}</ref> He played the 1959–60 season with the Junior B Goderich Sailors and was the youngest player on the team. Henderson moved up to the Junior A [[Hamilton Red Wings]] in [[1960–61 OHA season|1960–61]] where he was an extra [[forward (ice hockey)|forward]] for much of the season.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=11}}</ref> Returning to Hamilton in [[1961–62 OHA season|1961–62]], he became a regular player on the team, and recorded 24 goals and 43 [[point (ice hockey)|points]] in 50 games.<ref name="LOH">{{citation |url=http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/SearchPlayer.jsp?player=12910 |title=Paul Henderson profile |publisher=Hockey Hall of Fame |access-date=September 5, 2012}}</ref>

Hamilton won the Ontario championship that season, then defeated the [[Quebec Citadelles (junior)|Quebec Citadelles]] in four consecutive games to win the eastern Canadian championship. Henderson scored a goal in the clinching game, a 9–3 win, that propelled the Red Wings to their first [[Memorial Cup]] final in the team's history.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=pWJkAAAAIBAJ&pg=4917,5355645 |title=Hamilton in junior final |work=Calgary Herald |date=April 25, 1962 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |page=16}}</ref> They faced the [[Edmonton Oil Kings (WCHL)|Edmonton Oil Kings]] in the [[1962 Memorial Cup]] final series. The Red Wings won the best-of-seven set 4–1 to capture the national championship. Henderson scored a goal in the deciding game, a 7–4 victory before over 7,000 fans at [[Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex|Kitchener, Ontario]].<ref>{{harvnb|Lapp|Macaulay|1997|p=124}}</ref> He finished with seven goals and seven assists in 14 Memorial Cup playoff games.<ref name="LOH" />

Returning for a third season with Hamilton in [[1962–63 OHA season|1962–63]], Henderson led the [[Ontario Hockey Association]] in scoring with 49 goals in 48 games. He added 27 assists to finish the season with 76 points.<ref name="LOH" /> A bout of [[strep throat]] resulted in his missing Hamilton's playoff games, but he was called up to the Detroit Red Wings late in their season when they were short of players.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=22}}</ref> Henderson played his first two NHL games against the [[Toronto Maple Leafs]], with only one [[List of ice hockey terminology#S|shift]] in each game. In his first game, Henderson elbowed [[Dick Duff]] in the head, sparking a [[fighting in ice hockey|fight]]. He spent the rest of the game on the bench after several Toronto players threatened retaliation against him. In his second, he incurred a [[slashing (ice hockey)|slashing]] penalty during his only time on the ice. Henderson estimated that he was on the ice for only 20 seconds over the two games, but drew nine [[penalty (ice hockey)|penalties in minutes]].<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|pp=22–23}}</ref>

===Detroit and Toronto===
After failing to make the Detroit roster out of training camp, Henderson was assigned to their [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) affiliate, the [[Pittsburgh Hornets]], to begin the [[1963–64 AHL season|1963–64 season]]. He appeared in 38 games for the Hornets and his speed and aggressive nature helped him score 10 goals and 24 points.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|pp=24–25}}</ref> Henderson earned a brief recall to Detroit in November, then joined the NHL team permanently early in the new year. He scored his first NHL goal on January 29, 1964, against the [[Chicago Blackhawks|Chicago Black Hawks]]. It came late in the game against goaltender [[Glenn Hall]] and resulted in a 2–2 tie.<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dw5ZAAAAIBAJ&pg=3565,3987017 |title=Canadiens nip Toronto |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=January 30, 1964 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |page=28}}</ref> In 32 regular season NHL games, Henderson recorded three goals and three assists, then appeared in 14 playoff games where he added five more points.<ref name="LOH" /> The Red Wings reached the [[1964 Stanley Cup Finals]], but lost in seven games to Toronto.<ref>{{citation |last=Coleman |first=Jim |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=T2RkAAAAIBAJ&pg=1204,7033265 |title=Leafs won the Cup in Detroit Thursday |work=Calgary Herald |date=April 27, 1964 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |page=26}}</ref>

Henderson established himself as a full-time NHL player in [[1964–65 NHL season|1964–65]], though with limited ice time. He was used primarily in a defensive role and to [[short-handed|kill penalties]], scoring 8 goals and 21 points, while appearing in 70 games.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=28}}</ref> Switching to the left wing in [[1965–66 NHL season|1965–66]], Henderson played a more offensive role and scored 22 goals.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=30}}</ref> He added three more in 12 playoff games as the Red Wings reached the [[1966 Stanley Cup Finals]] versus the [[Montreal Canadiens]].<ref name="LOH" /> Henderson scored the game-winning goal in the first game of the finals.<ref>{{citation |last=Kennedy |first=Bernie |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_lIoAAAAIBAJ&pg=2892,5572989 |title=Henderson, Crozier star as Wings win Cup opener |work=Owosso Argus-Press |date=April 25, 1966 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |page=10}}</ref> After winning the first two games in Montreal, Detroit lost four straight and the series.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=31}}</ref>

Seeking to double his $7,000 salary from the previous season,<ref name="Henderson1992-32">{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=32}}</ref> Henderson became embroiled in a contract dispute with the Red Wings prior to the [[1966–67 NHL season]], before the team acceded to his demands.<ref name="Henderson1992-32" /><ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3TQ_AAAAIBAJ&pg=5405,4937656 |title=Four Wings not drilling |work=Windsor Star |date=September 11, 1966 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |page=22}}</ref> He then spent the year attempting to overcome injuries; a case of [[tracheitis]] forced him to miss several early season games and led the team to consider having him play wearing a surgical mask to protect against the cold air of the arena.<ref>{{citation |last=Sawyer |first=Whitey |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QuBNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3871%2C6337892 |title=Red Wings may use "masked marvel" |work=Free Lance-Star |date=November 29, 1966 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |page=13}}</ref> Henderson eventually spent time in the dry air of Arizona to cure the ailment, but he also suffered from torn chest muscles and ultimately missed a third of the season.<ref name="Henderson1992-33">{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=33}}</ref> On the ice, Henderson scored 21 goals and 40 points in 49 games.<ref name="LOH" />

The Red Wings were in last place of the NHL's [[East Division (NHL)|East Division]] late in the [[1967–68 NHL season|1967–68 season]] when, on March 4, 1968, they completed one of the biggest trades in league history up to that time:<ref name="Henderson1992-33" /> Henderson was sent to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a six-player deal, along with [[Norm Ullman]] and [[Floyd Smith (ice hockey)|Floyd Smith]], in exchange for [[Frank Mahovlich]], [[Garry Unger]] and [[Pete Stemkowski]].<ref>{{citation |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=UmNkAAAAIBAJ&pg=2293%2C1200788 |title=Trade was a shock |work=Calgary Herald |date=March 5, 1968 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |page=24}}</ref> Henderson finished the season with 11 points in 13 games for Toronto, then scored 27 goals and 59 points in [[1968–69 NHL season|1968–69]].<ref name="LOH" />

A groin injury plagued Henderson throughout much of the [[1969–70 NHL season|1969–70 season]], but he continued to play at the team's request. He finished with 20 goals despite playing the entire season with pain. The Maple Leafs offered Henderson only a small raise, arguing that he did not deserve more because his offensive production had declined. The contract offer and the team's indifference towards his injury left Henderson disillusioned with management's attitude towards its players.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|pp=36–37}}</ref> Healthy in [[1970–71 NHL season|1970–71]], he scored 30 goals and an NHL career-high 60 points.<ref name="LOH" />

===Summit Series===
{{Quote box| quote ="It was obviously our way of life against their way of life. They had no scruples whatsoever, as far as we were concerned. ... It really was a whole ideology. It was freedom against communism."|align=right |width=30%|source=—Paul Henderson recalls the atmosphere of the series during 30th anniversary celebrations.<ref name="DaDaCanada">{{cite magazine |last=Dolezar |first=Jon A. |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2002/09/27/summit_main/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021002074622/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/news/2002/09/27/summit_main/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 2, 2002 |title=Da, da, Canada! |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=2002-09-27 |access-date=2013-10-16}}</ref>}}
Canada had long been at a disadvantage in international ice hockey tournaments as its best players were professionals in the NHL and therefore ineligible to play at the ostensibly amateur [[Ice Hockey World Championships|World Championship]] and [[Ice hockey at the Winter Olympics|Olympic Games]].<ref>{{citation |last=Carroll |first=Dick |url=https://news.google.ca/newspapers?id=fc8tAAAAIBAJ&sjid=46AFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1518,4900317 |title=Brundage may help Canada by banning Olympic hockey |work=Montreal Gazette |date=May 19, 1970 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=18}}</ref> The Soviets masked the status of their best players by having them serve in the military or hold other jobs affiliated with the teams, so they retained amateur status, even though playing hockey was their only occupational responsibility.<ref>{{citation |last=Kreiser |first=John |url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=640724 |title=1972 Summit Series shaped modern hockey |publisher=National Hockey League |date=September 1, 2012 |access-date=August 18, 2013}}</ref> The [[International Ice Hockey Federation]] (IIHF) promised to allow Canada to use a limited number of professional players at the 1970 tournament but later reneged, causing the nation to withdraw from all international competition.<ref>{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=184}}</ref> Officials in Canada and the [[Soviet Union]] subsequently negotiated an arrangement that would see the top players of each nation – amateur or professional – play in an eight-game "[[Summit Series]]" in September 1972 between the world's two greatest hockey nations.<ref>{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=207}}</ref> Canadian fans and media approached the series with confidence; many predicted that the Canadian professionals would win all eight games.<ref>{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=209}}</ref>

Henderson's 38-goal season in [[1971–72 NHL season|1971–72]], a career high,<ref name="LOH" /> earned him a place on [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Team Canada]]'s roster.<ref>{{cite news |last=Newton |first=Wayne |url=https://lfpress.com/2012/10/03/henderson-memoir-surprisin |title=Henderson memoir surprisin |work=London Free Press |date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=October 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019233555/http://www.lfpress.com/2012/10/03/henderson-memoir-surprisin |archive-date=October 19, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He scored a goal early in the first game, in [[Montreal]], that gave Canada a 2–0 lead.<ref name="McKinley2006">{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=212}}</ref> The [[Soviet Union national ice hockey team|Soviet team]] then humbled the Canadians by scoring the next four goals and winning 7–3.<ref>{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=215}}</ref> A 4–1 Canadian win followed in the second game at [[Maple Leaf Gardens]] in [[Toronto]], but the Soviets overcame a 4–2 deficit, the fourth goal scored by Henderson, to tie the third game in [[Winnipeg]].<ref>{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|pp=216–217}}</ref> Canada lost the fourth game, 5–3, and were jeered by the fans in [[Vancouver]] as they headed to Moscow for the final four games with a {{Win–loss record|w=1|l=2|d=1}} series deficit.<ref>{{citation |last=Dulmage |first=Jack |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=lzI_AAAAIBAJ&pg=4161,2026277 |title=Fans' boos compound dreadful spectacle |work=Windsor Star |date=September 9, 1972 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=22}}</ref> Henderson, like most of his teammates, was frustrated by his team's play and the negative reaction they received from the crowd.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=60}}</ref>

In the first game in Moscow, Henderson scored a goal to help Canada establish a 4–1 lead, but also suffered a concussion when he was tripped into the boards and knocked unconscious.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=63}}</ref> He returned to finish the game, but the Soviets came back to win, 5–4, and were one victory shy of winning the series.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=67}}</ref> In game six, Canada overcame what coach [[Harry Sinden]] called "the worst officials I have ever seen in my life" to win by a 3–2 score, with Henderson scoring the game-winning goal.<ref>{{citation |last=Blackman |first=Ted |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JIs0AAAAIBAJ&pg=1006%2C7065723 |title=Canada edges Russia, refs: "Never gonna beat us again" |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 25, 1972 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=21}}</ref> The game was also notable for [[Bobby Clarke]] using his stick in a two-handed slash that broke [[Valeri Kharlamov]]'s ankle. Henderson later called the event "the low point of the series" during the 30th anniversary celebration, but apologized for his comments after Clarke took umbrage.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/paul-henderson-sorry-for-criticizing-clarke-slash-1.320565 |title=Paul Henderson sorry for criticizing Clarke slash |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=September 19, 2002 |access-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref> Canada drew even in the series at three wins apiece, plus one tie, with a 4–3 victory in game seven. Henderson again scored the winner despite being tripped as he took the shot.<ref>{{citation |last=Blackman |first=Ted |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Jos0AAAAIBAJ&pg=3137%2C7571080 |title=Canada-Russia series: down to the wire |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 27, 1972 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=17}}</ref>

{{Quote box| quote ="Here’s a shot ... Henderson made a wild stab for it and fell ... here’s another shot ... right in front ... they score! Henderson has scored for Canada!"|align=right |width=30%|source=—Canadian announcer [[Foster Hewitt]]'s call of Henderson's goal to win the eighth game, and the series.<ref name="CowanHHOF" />}}
By the eighth game, the competition had become more than a battle for hockey supremacy:<ref name="GreatestGame">{{citation |last=de Souza |first=Raymond J. |url=http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/09/06/father-raymond-j-de-souza-on-hockey-the-greatest-game/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129130050/http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/09/06/father-raymond-j-de-souza-on-hockey-the-greatest-game/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 29, 2013 |title=The greatest game |work=National Post |date=September 5, 2012 |access-date=September 6, 2012 }}</ref> it was also viewed as a battle between contrasting ways of life, particularly in the Soviet Union, where success in sport was used to promote the superiority of communism over western capitalism.<ref name="DaDaCanada" /><ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|Prime|2011|p=89}}</ref> An estimated 50 million Soviets watched the final contest,<ref name="McKinley2006" /> while in Canada, offices were closed and schools suspended classes to allow students to watch the game on television in gymnasium assemblies.<ref name="GreatestGame" /> The two teams ended the first period tied at two goals apiece, but Canada trailed at the second intermission, 5–3, and Soviet officials stated they would claim the overall victory if the game ended in a draw as a result of scoring more goals throughout the series. Canada rallied in the third period to tie the game with seven minutes remaining.<ref>{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=223}}</ref>

Sitting on the bench as the game entered the final minute of play, Henderson "had a feeling" that he could score. He convinced coach Sinden to send him out when Peter Mahovlich left the ice.<ref name="ItsAllOver">{{citation |last=Blackman |first=Ted |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=KIs0AAAAIBAJ&pg=1689%2C8033183 |title=...6–5 and it's all over! |work=Montreal Gazette |date=September 29, 1972 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=1}}</ref> Rushing into the Soviet zone, Henderson missed a pass from [[Yvan Cournoyer]] in front of the net and was tripped by a Soviet defenceman. As he got to his feet, [[Phil Esposito]] recovered the puck and sent it towards Henderson in front of the net. The first shot was stopped by [[Vladislav Tretiak]], but Henderson recovered the rebound and lifted it over the fallen goaltender to give Canada a 6–5 lead with only 34 seconds left to play.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|pp=80–81}}</ref> It was his seventh goal of the tournament, tying him for the series lead with Esposito and [[Alexander Yakushev]].<ref>{{citation |title=Statistics: Brothers come out best |work=The Globe and Mail |date=September 29, 1972 |page=41}}</ref> The goal won the game, and the series, for Canada.<ref name="ItsAllOver" /> The team returned home to massive crowds in Montreal and Toronto, and Paul Henderson had become a national hero.<ref name="CowanHHOF" />

===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" />

===Atlanta Flames===
The WHA [[NHL–WHA merger|merged]] with the NHL following the [[1978–79 WHA season|1978–79 season]]. Birmingham was not invited to join the NHL; the team instead joined the [[Central Professional Hockey League|Central Hockey League]] for the 1979–80 season and became a minor league affiliate of the [[Atlanta Flames]]. Henderson considered retiring, but his family had settled in Birmingham and he knew they could remain in the United States only as long as he was employed. The Flames offered him a spot on their roster, but he preferred to remain with his family. He signed a two-year contract with the Flames on the promise that he would stay in Birmingham unless the team needed his services as a result of injury to other players.<ref name="OutofSpotlight" /> He spent the majority of the season in Birmingham, but when Atlanta did struggle with injuries, they recalled him for 30 games where he scored seven goals and six assists. Henderson also appeared in four playoff games.<ref name="LOH" /> In his final game at Toronto's [[Maple Leaf Gardens]], Henderson led the Flames to a 5–1 win over the Maple Leafs with a two-goal effort, resulting in his being named the game's [[Three stars (ice hockey)|first star]].<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=117}}</ref>

Henderson intended the 1980–81 season to be his last as a player.<ref name="Retire">{{citation |last=Duhatschek |first=Eric |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qnRkAAAAIBAJ&pg=1558%2C2195732 |title=Henderson hangs 'em up as Bulls untie skates |work=Calgary Herald |date=February 24, 1981 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=A19}}</ref> He was again offered a spot on the Flames, in part to help develop the team's young players, but the franchise had relocated to Canada to become the [[Calgary Flames]] and Henderson chose to remain with Birmingham,<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=119}}</ref> as a player and assistant coach. He missed several games due to injuries but scored six goals in 33 games. However, the Bulls fell into financial difficulty and on February 23, 1981, the team ceased operations mid-season. Choosing not to leave his Birmingham home, Henderson retired as a player and spent the remainder of the season as a scout for the Flames.<ref name="Retire" />

==Legacy==
[[File:Paul Henderson 1972.jpg|thumb|upright|Henderson celebrates the series-winning goal while being embraced by [[Yvan Cournoyer|Cournoyer]]. The award-winning photograph, taken by [[Frank Lennon]], has been called "one of the ten images that changed Canada".<ref name="LennonPhotograh">{{citation |last=Russell |first=Steve |url=http://thestar.blogs.com/photoblog/2010/11/a-moment-in-history-frank-lennon-denis-brodeur-and-paul-henderson.html |title=A moment in history, Frank Lennon, Denis Brodeur and Paul Henderson |work=Toronto Star |date=November 15, 2010 |access-date=September 6, 2012}}</ref>|alt=Henderson is embraced by teammate Cournoyer immediately following his winning goal. The Soviet goaltender lays prone in front of the net while another Soviet player skates away.]]
Though he was not considered a good puck handler, Henderson was a fast skater and was known for his skills at shooting the puck.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKay |first=Jim |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XFU_AAAAIBAJ&pg=3500,2220689 |title=The strange saga of Paul Henderson |work=Windsor Star |date=September 30, 1972 |access-date=October 22, 2013 |page=25}}</ref> His career spanned 19 professional seasons during which he played over 1,000 major league games in the NHL and WHA. He scored 376 goals and 760 points between the two leagues and was a two-time NHL all-star, playing in the [[25th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1972]] and [[26th National Hockey League All-Star Game|1973]] [[NHL All-Star Game|All-Star Games]].<ref name="CowanHHOF" /><ref name="LOH" /> His career, however, was defined by the goal he scored on September 28, 1972, to win the Summit Series for Canada.<ref name="OutofSpotlight" /> It is the most famous goal in Canadian hockey history and was the defining moment for a generation of Canadians.<ref>{{harvnb|McKinley|2006|p=225}}</ref> Decades later, Henderson remains a national hero.<ref>{{citation |last=Zeisbberger |first=Mike |url=https://lfpress.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/28/15510716.html |title=Once a hero, always a hero |work=London Free Press |date=September 28, 2010 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015005841/http://www.lfpress.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/28/15510716.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ''[[Canadian Press]]'' named Henderson's goal the "sports moment of the century" in 2000.<ref name="DaDaCanada" /> The jersey worn by Henderson when he scored the goal was sold at auction for over $1 million in 2010, thought to be the highest price ever paid for a hockey sweater.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/olyhockey/news/story?id=5324764 |title=Summit Series icon gets record price |publisher=ESPN |date=June 24, 2010 |access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref>

[[Frank Lennon]]'s photograph, taken moments after the goal and showing a jubilant Henderson being embraced by [[Yvan Cournoyer]], has been "etched into the visual cortex of every Canadian".<ref name="LennonObit">{{citation |last=Gombu |first=Phinjo |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/439039601 |title=Frank Lennon, 79: captured Canada's joy |work=Toronto Star |date=September 5, 2006 |access-date=October 12, 2013 |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015003751/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/doc/439039601.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS |id={{ProQuest|439039601}} |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}</ref> The photo won a [[National Newspaper Awards|National Newspaper Award]] and has been reproduced by the [[Royal Canadian Mint]] on coins.<ref name="LennonPhotograh"/> It was also named ''Canadian Press'' photograph of the year.<ref name="LennonObit" />

Sportswriters and fans have frequently called for Henderson to be inducted into the [[Hockey Hall of Fame]] on the strength of his performance. Commentator and former NHL coach [[Don Cherry (ice hockey)|Don Cherry]] argued that Henderson's status as hero of the "greatest series in hockey history" was enough to qualify him.<ref>{{citation |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/498307661.html?FMT=ABS |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131174726/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/498307661.html?FMT=ABS |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |title=Put Henderson in the Hall, Cherry says |work=Kitchener-Waterloo Record |date=September 17, 1997 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |page=C4 }}</ref> Henderson himself does not believe he belongs: "So many Canadians get upset that I’m not in the Hall of Fame, and I tell them all the time if I was on the committee, I wouldn’t vote for me. Quite frankly, I didn’t have a Hall of Fame career."<ref name="CowanHHOF" /> Henderson has been honoured by [[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]] on two occasions: he was first inducted as an individual in 1995, and again ten years later along with his 1972 teammates.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.sportshall.ca/honoured-members/27964/paul-henderson/ |title=Honoured members – Paul Henderson |publisher=Canada's Sports Hall of Fame |access-date=September 6, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130115123819/http://www.sportshall.ca/honoured-members/27964/paul-henderson/ |archive-date=January 15, 2013 }}</ref> The Summit Series team has also been honoured with a star on [[Canada's Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/paul-henderson-72-team-join-canada-s-walk-of-fame-1.1228185 |title=Paul Henderson, '72 team join Canada's Walk of Fame |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=September 22, 2012 |access-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref> Henderson has been inducted into the [[Ontario Sports Hall of Fame]] (1997),<ref>{{citation |title=Paul Henderson |url=http://oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/77-paul-henderson |website=oshof.ca |publisher=[[Ontario Sports Hall of Fame]] |access-date=September 24, 2014 |archive-date=December 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228215008/http://oshof.ca/index.php/honoured-members/item/77-paul-henderson |url-status=dead }}</ref> the [[IIHF Hall of Fame]] (2013) and has been honoured by [[Hockey Canada]] with the [[Order of Hockey in Canada]] as part of its 2013 class.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.iihf.com/nc/home-of-hockey/news/archive.html |title=IIHF class of 2013 honoured |publisher=International Ice Hockey Federation |date=May 19, 2013 |access-date=July 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708042421/http://www.iihf.com/nc/home-of-hockey/news/archive.html |archive-date=July 8, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Sportak |first=Randy |title=Marching Order |work=Calgary Sun |date=December 13, 2012 |page=S11}}</ref> He was named a Member of the [[Order of Canada]] in the [[2013 Canadian honours]] in recognition of "his engagement in support of a range of social and charitable causes" along with his achievements on the ice.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/cbc-s-michael-enright-among-order-of-canada-appointees-1.1156946 |title=CBC's Michael Enright among Order of Canada appointees |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 30, 2012 |access-date=January 1, 2013}}</ref> In 2014, he was named to the [[Order of Ontario]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/david-cronenberg-alvin-curling-among-two-dozen-named-to-order-of-ontario-1.2508648 |title=David Cronenberg, Alvin Curling among two dozen named to Order of Ontario |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=January 23, 2014 |access-date=January 31, 2014}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Henderson and his wife Eleanor have three daughters: Heather, Jennifer and Jill.<ref name="Henderson92" /> The family remained in Birmingham for a time following his retirement as a player. He had an opportunity to become a [[Color commentator|colour commentator]] for Maple Leafs broadcasts in 1981 but Ballard, still upset that Henderson had defected to the WHA, prevented his hiring.<ref>{{citation |last=MacLeod |first=Rex |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/436180612 |title=Harold Ballard 1903-1990 End of an era: Farewell, Pal Hal |work=Toronto Star |date=April 12, 1990 |access-date=October 12, 2013 |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014235918/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/doc/436180612.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS |id={{ProQuest|436180612}} |url-status=live }} {{subscription required}}</ref> In Birmingham, he became a [[stockbroker]], briefly joining [[brokerage firm]] [[E. F. Hutton & Co.|E. F. Hutton]]. However, he was unable to get a work permit in the United States despite a petition signed by thousands of Birmingham residents who fought for him to stay.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|pp=130–131}}</ref>

Following the high of the 1972 Summit Series and the personal lows that came after, Henderson struggled with a sense of discontentment.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=126}}</ref> He turned to religion, becoming a [[Born again (Christianity)|born-again Christian]] in 1975.<ref name="CowanHHOF" /> Unable to work as a broker, Henderson entered the [[seminary]] and studied to become a minister.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|p=133}}</ref> When he finally gave up his efforts to acquire an American work visa in 1984, he returned to Toronto. Under the auspices of [[Power to Change Ministries]], formerly [[Campus Crusade for Christ]] Canada, he founded a men's ministry in Ontario called LeaderImpact and travels across Canada giving talks and speeches, particularly to businessmen.<ref>{{harvnb|Henderson|1992|pp=149–151}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=http://powertochange.com/organization/staff/paul-henderson|title=Paul Henderson. God is at work (video) |publisher=Power to Change |access-date=July 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.leaderimpact.ca/who-we-are/paul-henderson/|access-date=February 16, 2020|title=Paul Henderson|publisher=LeaderImpact}}</ref> He has received an [[Honorary degree|honorary doctorate]] from [[Briercrest College and Seminary]] and an honorary degree from [[Tyndale University College and Seminary]].<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.cuma.ca/conf/2001/Bio_Paul.pdf |title=Paul Henderson Biography |publisher=Credit Union Managers Association |access-date=September 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121203232212/http://www.cuma.ca/conf/2001/Bio_Paul.pdf |archive-date=December 3, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{citation |last1=Getfield |first1=Jacqueline |last2=Gonsalves |first2=Kevin |url=http://www.tyndale.ca/sites/default/files/Tyndale-Connection-Fall-07.pdf |title=Graduation |work=Tyndale Collection |publisher=Tyndale University College and Seminary |date=Fall 2007 |page=11}}</ref>

Henderson is also a published author. His autobiography, ''Shooting for Glory'', was released in 1992.<ref>{{citation |last=Cenerelli |first=Ken |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/513450691.html?FMT=ABS |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131191300/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/513450691.html?FMT=ABS |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2013 |title=Henderson scores big in life story |work=Kitchener-Waterloo Record |date=December 19, 1992 |access-date=September 9, 2012 |page=C5 }}</ref> With Jim Prime, he co-authored the 2011 book ''How Hockey Explains Canada'', an exploration of the relationship between the sport and Canadian culture.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.cbc.ca/books/2011/11/how-hockey-explains-canada.html |title=How Hockey Explains Canada |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 16, 2011 |access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref> He released a memoir in 2012 called ''The Goal of My Life'' with Roger Lajoie.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.randomhouse.com/book/220098/the-goal-of-my-life-by-paul-henderson-and-roger-lajoie |title=The Goal of My Life
|publisher=Random House, Inc. |access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref>

The death of his father due to heart problems at the age of 49 had a lasting effect on Henderson. He was conscious of his own health, and survived a blockage in his own heart that was discovered in 2004.<ref>{{citation |last=Ulmer |first=Mike |url=http://blog.mapleleafs.com/paul-henderson-on-living-dying-and-wearing-the-maple-leaf/ |title=Paul Henderson: On Living, Dying And Wearing The Maple Leaf |publisher=Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club |date=March 28, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2012}}</ref> He was diagnosed with [[chronic lymphocytic leukemia]] in 2009.<ref>{{citation |url=https://www.thespec.com/news-story/2180816-hockey-hero-henderson-battling-cancer/ |title=Hockey hero Henderson battling cancer |work=Hamilton Spectator |date=February 20, 2010 |access-date=June 19, 2018}}</ref> The disease prevented him from attending 40th anniversary celebrations of the Summit Series in Moscow,<ref>{{citation |last=Sportak |first=Randy |title='The right guy' to score the big goal |work=Calgary Sun |date=September 3, 2012 |page=S5}}</ref> but he was responding well to experimental treatment as part of a clinical trial he participated in into 2013.<ref>{{citation |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-3832adc95a81420fb66ac5ce22cc4cf8.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101070534/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1A1-3832adc95a81420fb66ac5ce22cc4cf8.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |title=Hockey great Henderson buoyed by cancer treatment |publisher=Associated Press |date=April 8, 2013 |access-date=August 18, 2013}}</ref>

== Awards and honours ==

* [[J. Ross Robertson Cup]] (1962)
* [[Memorial Cup]] ([[1962 Memorial Cup|1962]])
* [[NHL All-Star Game]] ([[1971–72 NHL season|1972]], [[1972–73 NHL season|1973]])
* [[Canada's Sports Hall of Fame]] (1995, 2005)
* [[Order of Canada]] (2012)
* [[IIHF Hall of Fame]] (2013)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/iihf-hof-2013.html|title=Monster class of 2013|date=4 January 2013|website=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]|access-date=18 June 2023|archive-date=January 4, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104022527/http://www.iihf.com/home-of-hockey/news/iihf-hof-2013.html|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=IIHF: Paul Henderson, Danielle Goyette inducted into Hall of Fame|last=Spencer|first=Donna|agency=[[The Canadian Press]]|date=19 May 2013|newspaper=[[Toronto Star]]|location=Toronto, Ontario|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2013/05/19/iihf_paul_henderson_danielle_goyette_inducted_into_hall_of_fame.html|access-date=18 June 2023}}</ref>
* [[Order of Ontario]] (2014)

==Career statistics==

===Regular season and playoffs===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! colspan="5"|[[Regular season]]
! rowspan="100" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! colspan="5"|[[Playoffs]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP !! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]] !! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]] !! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]] !! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|-
| [[1960–61 OHA season|1960–61]]
| [[Hamilton Red Wings]]
| [[Ontario Hockey Association|OHA]]
| 30 || 1 || 3 || 4 || 9
| 12 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 4
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1961–62 OHA season|1961–62]]
| Hamilton Red Wings
| OHA
| 50 || 24 || 19 || 43 || 68
| 10 || 4 || 6 || 10 || 13
|-
| [[1962–63 OHA season|1962–63]]
| Hamilton Red Wings
| OHA
| 48 || 49 || 27 || 76 || 53
| 3 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1962–63 NHL season|1962–63]]
| [[Detroit Red Wings]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 9
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1963–64 AHL season|1963–64]]
| [[Pittsburgh Hornets]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| 38 || 10 || 14 || 24 || 18
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1963–64 NHL season|1963–64]]
| Detroit Red Wings
| NHL
| 32 || 3 || 3 || 6 || 14
| 14 || 2 || 3 || 5 || 6
|-
| [[1964–65 NHL season|1964–65]]
| Detroit Red Wings
| NHL
| 70 || 8 || 13 || 21 || 30
| 7 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1965–66 NHL season|1965–66]]
| Detroit Red Wings
| NHL
| 69 || 22 || 24 || 46 || 34
| 12 || 3 || 3 || 6 || 10
|-
| [[1966–67 NHL season|1966–67]]
| Detroit Red Wings
| NHL
| 46 || 21 || 19 || 40 || 10
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1967–68 NHL season|1967–68]]
| Detroit Red Wings
| NHL
| 50 || 13 || 20 || 33 || 35
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| 1967–68
| [[Toronto Maple Leafs]]
| NHL
| 13 || 5 || 6 || 11 || 8
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1968–69 NHL season|1968–69]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 74 || 27 || 32 || 59 || 16
| 4 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0
|-
| [[1969–70 NHL season|1969–70]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 67 || 20 || 22 || 42 || 18
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1970–71 NHL season|1970–71]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 72 || 30 || 30 || 60 || 34
| 6 || 5 || 1 || 6 || 4
|-
| [[1971–72 NHL season|1971–72]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 73 || 38 || 19 || 57 || 32
| 5 || 1 || 2 || 3 || 6
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1972–73 NHL season|1972–73]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 40 || 18 || 16 || 34 || 18
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1973–74 NHL season|1973–74]]
| Toronto Maple Leafs
| NHL
| 69 || 24 || 31 || 55 || 40
| 4 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 2
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1974–75 WHA season|1974–75]]
| [[Toronto Toros]]
| [[World Hockey Association|WHA]]
| 58 || 30 || 33 || 63 || 18
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1975–76 WHA season|1975–76]]
| Toronto Toros
| WHA
| 65 || 26 || 29 || 55 || 22
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1976–77 WHA season|1976–77]]
| [[Birmingham Bulls (WHA)|Birmingham Bulls]]
| WHA
| 81 || 23 || 25 || 48 || 30
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1977–78 WHA season|1977–78]]
| Birmingham Bulls
| WHA
| 80 || 37 || 29 || 66 || 22
| 5 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 0
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1978–79 WHA season|1978–79]]
| Birmingham Bulls
| WHA
| 76 || 24 || 27 || 51 || 20
| — || — || — || — || —
|-
| [[1979–80 CHL season|1979–80]]
| Birmingham Bulls
| [[Central Professional Hockey League|CHL]]
| 47 || 17 || 18 || 35 || 10
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1979–80 NHL season|1979–80]]
| [[Atlanta Flames]]
| NHL
| 30 || 7 || 6 || 13 || 6
| 4 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
| [[1980–81 CHL season|1980–81]]
| Birmingham Bulls
| CHL
| 35 || 6 || 11 || 17 || 38
| — || — || — || — || —
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | WHA totals
! 360 !! 140 !! 143 !! 283 !! 112
! 5 !! 1 !! 1 !! 2 !! 0
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 707 !! 236 !! 241 !! 477 !! 304
! 56 !! 11 !! 14 !! 25 !! 28
|}

===International===
{| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! rowspan="102" bgcolor="#ffffff"|
! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM
|-
| [[Summit Series|1972]]
| [[Canada men's national ice hockey team|Canada]]
| SS
| 8 || 7 || 3 || 10 || 4
|- bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[1974 Summit Series|1974]]
| Canada
| SS
| 7 || 2 || 1 || 3 || 0
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"| Senior totals
! 15 !! 9 !! 4 !! 13 !! 4
|}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist|20em}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
; General
* '''Career statistics''': {{cite web |url = http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8447730 |title=Paul Henderson player card |publisher=National Hockey League |access-date=September 5, 2012 }}
* {{citation |last=Henderson |first=Paul |title=Shooting for Glory |publisher=Stoddart Publishing |year=1992 |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=0-7737-2646-2 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/shootingforglory0000hend }}
* {{citation |last1=Henderson |first1=Paul |last2=Prime |first2=Jim |title=How Hockey Explains Canada |publisher=Triumph Books |year=2011 |location=Chicago, Illinois |isbn=978-1-60078-575-7 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/howhockeyexplain0000hend }}
* {{citation |last1=Henderson |first1=Paul |last2=Lajoie |first2=Roger |title=The Goal of my Life: A Memoir |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |year=2012 |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn = 978-0-7710-4650-6 }}
* {{citation |last1=Lapp |first1=Richard |last2=Macaulay |first2=Alec |title=The Memorial Cup |publisher=Harbour Publishing |year=1997 |location=Madeira Park, British Columbia |isbn=1-55017-170-4}}
* {{citation |last=McKinley |first=Michael |title=Hockey: A People's History |publisher=McClelland & Stewart |year=2006 |location=Toronto, Ontario |isbn=0-7710-5769-5 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/hockeypeopleshis0000mcki }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*{{icehockeystats}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Henderson, Paul}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian male writers]]
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[[Category:Atlanta Flames players]]
[[Category:20th-century Canadian sportsmen]]
[[Category:Canadian anti-communists]]
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