Put Paul in the Hall

The iconic photograph of "the most famous goal in Canadian hockey history" of Paul Henderson and Yvan Cournoyer celebrating the goal that won the Summit Series in Moscow, Soviet Union, September 28, 1972. Source -CNN/Sports Illustrated Photo Taken September 28, 1972 by Frank Lennon, Canadian Press

Almost everyone in Canada over 45 remembers the Canada/Russia Summit Hockey Series in September 1972. The best professional talent from Canada against the powerful Soviet Union team – an eight game series between the world’s hockey super powers.

It was more than a hockey series, it was capitalism against communism, democracy versus brutal dictatorship. Losing to the USSR was not an option!

Going into the final game in Moscow the teams were tied at three wins each, and one tie. With 34 seconds left in the game, and the score tied, Paul Henderson scored what has been described as the goal of the century. Everyone can remember where he or she was at that moment!  High drama, and victory for Canada.

Paul Henderson, playing on a line with Ron Ellis, and Bobby Clark, excelled in the series, scoring the winning goal in game six ,seven and the goal of the century in game eight.

The 40th anniversary of the series will be marked and observed this September at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. A significant problem with this upcoming occasion is that Paul Henderson is not in the Hall of Fame! Over the forty years since the series, many players have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Of interest is that Vladislav Tretiak, who played goal for the Soviets, and on whom Henderson scored, is in the Hall of Fame, as are Paul Henderson’s line mates, Ron Ellis, and Bobby Clark.

Hockey observers and fans, are at a loss to explain why Paul is not in the Hall. If one reviews the list of inductees, there are several whose achievements and statistics are inferior to those of Paul Henderson.

In addition, Paul Henderson has a current health challenge undergoing treatments for lukemia. If you wish to have a say in this matter, and urge those on the Nomination Committee to get Paul Henderson into the Hall of Fame, go online to “Put Paul in the Hall” at www.heritagehockey.com  and add your name to the petition  to correct this huge omission.

Robert Wilson
Picton