The Goal of My Life: A Memoir

by Paul Henderson, Roger Lajoie, Ron Ellis (Foreword)

Paul Henderson will forever be recognized and remembered for his goal with 34 seconds remaining in the 8th game of the 1972 Summit Series. This goal gave Canada the lead and won them the series and with that the team became known as "the Team of the Century." And Paul's goal as, "the Goal of the Century." But there is more to Paul Henderson than just that one goal and in The Goal of My Life, Henderson opens up about scoring both on and off the ice. A family man and man with deep faith, Henderson lives each day with tremendous appreciation for the gifts life has rewarded him and has not allowed his recent diagnosis with cancer to alter his positive demeanor. Henderson takes fans back to the moment 1972 when Canada won the Summit Series, though additionally shares memories from his entire life and his early days playing hockey through to his retirement from the game and his personal challenges with Leukemia. Henderson is a hero and his book is one that all fans of hockey and life will enjoy.

Genres: Sports, Hockey, Nonfiction, Canada, Biography

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

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!
--Foster Hewitt’s play-by-play broadcast of the final game in the 1972 Russia-
Canada hockey series, Moscow, September 28, 1972

Paul Henderson was born on a sleigh during a snowstorm in the middle of Lake
Huron.

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

Paul began his hockey career in Lucknow Ontario and progressed to Junior “A”
with the Hamilton Red Wings. After winning the Memorial Cup in 1962 he moved to the NHL. 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. Paul scored 376 goals and had 384 assists during his professional career.

History will remember Paul for his role in 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.

Even though Paul scored “The Goal” almost 30 years ago, it is anything but
forgotten. Paul says that, “Even today, no matter where I go, Canadians want to
thank me for scoring the goal...it’s a marvelous feeling and a blessing to be
remembered for such an uplifting moment.”

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.

Since his retirement from professional hockey Paul has been busy. He has co-
authored two books: “The Fans Go Wild” and “Shooting for Glory” and is
presently writing his third book. As a motivational speaker he has addressed
many of Canada’s major corporations. He also speaks widely in the Christian
community, including at marriage conferences with Eleanor.

He is currently the Director of “Leadership Ministries” where he has been developing men for leadership since 1984 and holds an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Briarcrest Biblical Seminary.

Paul is also active in the community with such organizations as Muskoka Woods Sports Camp and Teen Ranch near Orangeville. He 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 addition to being a member of several Sports Hall of Fames, including
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Paul received the Ontario Special Achievement Award for his contribution to minor hockey in 1998.

Reviews

[Joe Seliske · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first third of the book or so talks about the 1972 Summit Series and The Goal. The next third of the book describes Paul's becoming a Christian and testimonials to his ministry. The last third describes the members of Team Canada 1972.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new on the 72 Summi5 Series. Skipped all the Christian nonsense

[Greg Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book by one of Canada’s most famous hockey players. And his impact after his pro hockey career. Wishing him well on his cancer journey

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

First 1/3 of the book gives an overview of Henderson's hockey career, second third focuses on "the Goal", final third focuses on his ministry to businessmen through Campus Crusade for Christ that he has headed for the past 30 years. He is very open and up front about his faith and how it changed his life. Best part of the book was the chapter on stories people have told him on where they were when The Goal was scored and how it impacted their life, including the heart-warming story of the couple who were planning a divorce yet after watching the Goal and celebrating together, they decided to give their marriage another try! Weakest part of the book is the chapter of testimonials from businessmen involved in Henderson's ministry. The testimonies are great and should be in the book, but there are too many of them and many of them say the same thing. Henderson has shown himself over time to be the Real Deal in terms of a Christian athlete who has taken seriously the platform God has given him to impact people's lives for good. The book isn't great literature ... like Gordie Howe's bio it reads like he is sitting across the table just talking to you ... but it is very inspirational and worth the read.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book! i am not a great hockey fan but I read the book as Paul Henderson is the grandfather of students I teach. The book was great..... I especially enjoyed the sharing of his personal, as opposed to hockey journey. Easy to read, I laughed and cried..... Great man! He spoke at one of our assemblies, and he touched my heart.