Height: 5-11
Weight: 180
Shoot: R
Born: 28 Jan 1943, Kincardine ON
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Regular Season & Playoff Scoring Record (key)
| year | team | |||||||||||
| 1974-75 | Toronto | |||||||||||
| 1975-76 | Toronto | |||||||||||
| 1976-77 | Birmingham | |||||||||||
| 1977-78 | Birmingham | |||||||||||
| 1978-79 | Birmingham | |||||||||||
| Totals: |
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Excerpts from Pro Hockey, WHA 1975-76 (by Dan Proudfoot)
One high-priced recruit who did not disappoint Toronto Toro management was Paul Henderson. Until a groin injury ended his season early, 1974-75 was Henderson's best campaign. Most important, his play indicated that he finally was over the disruptive influence of the 1972 Team Canada series with the Soviet Union, when his game-winning goals made him a national celebrity. "I realize now that the Team Canada experience went to my head," says Henderson. "I tried not to let it, I thought it hadn't. But it had, and I wasn't a good team player my last years with the Toronto Maple Leafs." With Toros, Henderson scored 30 goals and 33 assists in the 58 games he played. Few wingers can match his skating speed and, as Soviet Nationals goaltender, Vlad Tretiak discovered, he's an extremely fine shooter, too. |
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Excerpts from Zander Hollander Complete Hockey Handbook, 1975-76 (by Reyn Davis)
A Toro leader ... Season riddled by injury in 1974-75 ... Lost 20 games and labored through several others with a split elbow, followed by torn knee ligaments ... Yet he still produced a career-high of 63 points ... Those close to him say he's had a new lease on life since leaving the Maple Leafs to sign a five-year contract with the Toros ... His dramatic series-winning goal for Team Canada in Moscow in 1972 probably ranks as Canada's most memorable moment in sports ... Very fast skater, wears helmet ... Career has been hampered by pulled groin and torn shoulder muscles, asthmatic condition, fractured jaw. |
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Excerpts from Pro Hockey, WHA 1976-77 (by Dan Proudfoot)
In some ways, it's a relief for Paul Henderson to get away from Toronto. He's never quite got over the national acclaim that followed his heroics in leading Team Canada to a series win over the Soviet Union Nationals fo 1972. Pressure developed along with the acclaim, and Henderson couldn't adjust. In Birmingham, fans will appreciate Henderson for what he is, a better than average scorer, with outstanding speed. "I'm really looking forward to the move," Henderson says. "It's a challenge, but personally I want to have a good season. I thought I played pretty well my first year with the Toros (after leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs), but last year was brutal, what with injuries and illnesses." At one point in 1975-76 Henderson left the Toros, discouraged by a complete lack of stamina. Still, he finished with 26 goals and 29 assists. |
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Excerpts from Zander Hollander's Guide to Pro Hockey, 1978-79 (by Reyn Davis)
Coming off the most productive season of his career, a stark contrast to the previous year ... Tired in the stretch after leading the Bulls through the first 65 games ... Very devout person and a hard-working Christian athlete ... "On this team, he's like the chaplain of a prison," quipped one teammate ... Still best remembered in Canada --- and Russia --- for the last minute goal he scored in Moscow to give Team Canada a series victory over the Soviet National Team in 1972 ... A dangerous shooter |
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