Athletes for Christ

Paul Henderson

with the Team Canada 1972 Summit Series

Paul Henderson

50th Anniversay of the Goal of the Century

Paul Henderson scored the biggest goal in the history of Canadian hockey. Paul scored "The Goal of Goals." If you're a

Canadian and a fan of hockey, that is all you really need to say when you're talking about Paul Henderson.

While the game was winding down on September 28, 1972, Paul was on the bench waiting for his chance to get back on the ice for one last shot at victory. As time was running out, it looked like the series would end in a tie. But then with a little over a minute left in the game, Paul was given his chance. He leaped off the boards and skated down the ice towards the Soviets' net. He missed on the first attempt. In the words of legendary hockey commentator

Foster Hewitt, "Henderson made a wild stab for it and fell." As Paul fell and slid into the boards, he quickly got back on his skates. Phil Esposito shot the puck at Soviet goalie, Vladislav Tretiak, and Paul grabbed the rebound. Foster Hewitt called the goal..."Here's another shot! Right in front...

They score! Henderson has scored for Canada!" With just 34 seconds left in the game, Canada would win the game 6-5 and the series with 4 wins, 3 losses and 1 tie. The first 4 games were played in Canada and the last 4 played in the Soviet Union. Amazingly, Paul scored the winning goals in games 6, 7 and 8. Three years later, in 1975, Paul gave his life to Jesus Christ.

Paul and his wife Eleanor have three daughters, Heather, Jennifer and Jill. The family remained in Birmingham, Alabama for awhile after he retired. Paul also had an opportunity to become a colour commentator for the Toronto Maple Leafs broadcasts in 1981, but Ballard, still upset over what Henderson had done by leaving the Maple Leafs for the WHA, blocked his hiring.

Paul returned to Toronto in 1984, under the auspices of Power to Change Ministries, formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ. He then founded a men's ministry called Leader Impact. Paul also received an honorary doctorate from Briercrest College and Seminary and an honorary degree from Tyndale University College and Seminary as a Minister.

Paul and Eleanor, his wife of 57 years, both share their faith of Jesus. They speak to church groups as Paul is a motivational speaker. Surprisingly, one might think his book, "The Goal of My Life", is about his big goal he scored for Team Canada. In fact, the book title is about Paul's personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.