Paul Henderson

Paul Henderson was born on a sleigh in the middle of a snow storm near Kincardine, Ontario.

He is married to Eleanor, his high school sweetheart, and they have three married daughters and six grandchildren.

Paul began his hockey career in Lucknow, Ontario progressing to Junior “A” with the Hamilton Red Wings. After winning the Memorial Cup in 1962 he moved to the N.H.L. Paul played 18 years of professional hockey with the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Atlanta Flames including 5 years in the World Hockey Association. As a professional, he scored 376 goals and added 384 assists.

History will remember Paul for the first Canada-Russia Hockey series in 1972, when Canada needed a victory in each of the last 3 games to win the series. Incredibly, Paul scored the winning goal in each of the 3 games. The goal in the last game was recently declared the greatest sports moment in the last century and Team Canada ‘72 was voted the Team of the Century.

Paul is a member of several Sports Halls of Fame including Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

He has co-authored two books: “The Fans Go Wild” and “Shooting for Glory”.

As a motivational speaker he has addressed many of Canada’s major corporations. Paul and his wife Eleanor speak at marriage conferences and he speaks widely in the Christian community.

Paul is active in the community, being involved with such organizations as Muskoka Woods Sports Camp and Teen Ranch near Orangeville. He also supports many charities and is the spokesperson for the Organ Donation Program for the Department of Critical Care Medicine at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.

In January 1997 the Canadian Mint launched a commemorative coin depicting the Winning Goal in the 1972 series. This is the first time a living person has been depicted on a coin, other than a sovereign. Canada Post also introduced a stamp celebrating the moment.

In 1998 Paul received the Ontario Special Achievement Award for his contribution to minor hockey.

In 2002 Paul was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Award for distinguished community service.

Paul is the Founder and President of The Leadership Group where he has been developing men for leadership since 1984. He holds two Honorary Doctor of Divinity degrees.

Paul is an avid reader, loves golf and, after 30 years of trying, became the Mississauga Golf and Country Club Golf Champion for 2004.

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