NHL

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Summit Series hero joins elite puck group

Henderson, King, Messier named to Order of Hockey

By: Laurence Heinen

Posted: 12/13/2012 3:20 AM | Comments: 0

Chris Young / the canadian press archives Paul Henderson, hero of the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union, garners a new honour. (CP)

Related Items

Articles
- Interactive: Canada's World Junior Hockey Team

CALGARY -- Forty years after his legendary goal inspired a generation, Paul Henderson is taking his place among Canada's hockey elite.

Henderson, along with longtime coach Dave King and NHL Hall of Famer Mark Messier, were named to the Order of Hockey in Canada on Wednesday. The program, run by Hockey Canada, annually honours a select number of individuals whose "role or service in the game is recognized as extraordinary" in this country.

The three join the star-studded inaugural class of 2012 inducted last spring. Honourees a year ago included Jean Beliveau, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Gordon Renwick.

Henderson, 69, is best known for scoring the winning goal in Game 8 of the 1972 Summit Series to give Canada the victory over the Soviet Union. The goal is still celebrated in Canadian hockey circles and has become part of the nation's identity.

"When I scored that goal, they interviewed me after the game and I specifically remember saying I've never been more proud to be Canadian at that minute," Henderson said in a conference call.

Shortly after being informed about his latest honour, Henderson said he was "about six inches off the floor."

Hockey Canada president Bob Nicholson told Henderson that goal was a watershed moment for Canadian hockey.

"When you scored that goal, that changed a lot of dreams in this country, and that was to put on the Canadian jersey," Nicholson said.

Henderson also recorded 477 points (236 goals, 241 assists) in 707 career NHL games with Detroit, Toronto and Atlanta and had 283 points (140 goals, 143 assists) in 360 career WHA games with Toronto and Birmingham.

Henderson, diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 2009, said he's pleased to be recognized for his efforts during his playing career.

"I've been battling cancer for three years, and thank you for doing this while I'm still alive," he joked. "I'd have really been ticked if you had waited until after I died."

King, 64, has a vast coaching resumé, including guiding Canadian teams at the Winter Olympics, world hockey championships and world junior championships.

"It's a great pleasure to be inducted into the Order of Hockey in Canada," said King, who also has North American coaching experience at the NHL, WHL and university levels and international coaching experience in Germany, Sweden and Russia. "It's a great honour and certainly something that I'll always cherish."

King said he still believes he has more to give back to the game.

"I fell in love with the game when I was a little guy, four or five years old,. Now I'm in my mid-60s and still in love with the game. I enjoy it."

Messier, 51, is a six-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time Hart Trophy winner and 15-time all-star. He is second on the NHL's all-time list with 1,887 points (694-1,193) in 1,756 games over 25 seasons.

His former coach, Glen Sather, who sits on the Order of Hockey of Canada selection committee, referred to Messier as an extraordinary guy.

"Mark was the captain for three different teams in the National Hockey League," Sather said.

Messier, who also played for Canada at the world hockey championship, World Cup of Hockey and at three Canada Cups, said Henderson's goal in 1972 ignited his passion and desire to compete at the international level.

"That was when I got my first taste of international hockey and what it meant to represent your country in a game that you loved to play as a kid," Messier said.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 13, 2012 D3

Factual inaccuracy? Something missing? Help improve our journalism.

Know about news? Share your story suggestions, photos and video.

Spelling error? Punctuation problem? Send us an email if you’ve found a typo.

More NHL

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.