Hockey legend Paul Henderson returns to his roots to unveil plaque at Kincardine hospital

Paul Henderson hasn't been back to the Kincardine hospital in 74 years.

The hockey legend, best known for scoring the winning goal in the 1972 Summit Series against Russia, returned to his roots to celebrate Canada Day 150, and unveil a plaque in his honour, at the same hospital where he was born Jan. 28, 1943.

Henderson and his wife, Eleanor, arrived Saturday morning at the hospital in a carriage drawn by Mike Geddes' Clydesdale horses of Clarkesburg, guarded by RCMP constable Jason Morton.

Just as the ceremony was set to begin, the sky opened up and the crowd ran for cover at the entrance to the hospital where Henderson affably signed autographs and greeted people.

Once the rain had quit, for the most part, Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie welcomed everyone and said it was an honour to have Paul and Eleanor in Kincardine.

"I'm glad you chose to spend your Canada Day with us," she said. "It's rainy, but I must say the weather is better than when you first arrived at Kincardine hospital in 1943."

Eadie said she first heard the story of Henderson's birth from her father. "I told him,'You've got to be kidding,' but he said it was a true story and he never lied. We all remember 'The Goal'; it was so exciting. Have a great day and thank you for joining us in Kincardine."

Paul Rosebush, president and chief executive officer of the South Bruce Grey Health Centre, which includes the Kincardine hospital, also welcomed everyone to the hospital site.

"I apologize to my wife and children, but this is the best day of my life," he said. "This is such an historic occasion to be celebrating and unveiling a plaque at the birthplace of Paul Henderson whose accomplishments are truly legendary.

"That goal you scored in the Summit Series was called the sports moment of the Century by CP (Canadian Press). I never imagined as an 11-year-old watching that series on TV, that I would be here to meet Paul Henderson. I have followed your hockey career and your personal achievements. Your life choices have been made to ensure family stability. And you live a life of faith, conviction and principle.

"I recall hearing that your teammates would say, 'Just give Paul the puck and get out of the way'. We are proud at the hospital to celebrate your birthplace here. Thank you for sharing Canada Day with us."

Brad Kirkconnell of the Kincardine Canada Day 150 committee, said that when Henderson's mother arrived in the horse and sleigh with her baby in her arms, they couldn't get up the hospital hill, so nurse Lexi Bell went down and brought him up to the hospital.

Bell's nephew Allan Taylor told the crowd that his aunt was a nurse at the hospital from 1942-74.

"I remember in the late 1990s, there was a story in the paper about Paul being born and raised in Lucknow," said Taylor. "Aunt Lexi said, 'I'll have you know he was not born in Lucknow. I was there when he was born in Kincardine'."

In 2000, Henderson came to Kincardine to meet Bell. "It was her 90th birthday and she was still sharp as anything," said Taylor.

"She was sharper than I was," quipped Henderson.

"She remembered that the doctor brought Henderson up to her and he was covered in hay and straw and was turning blue," said Taylor. "She said he was just a mess."

"Still am," joked Henderson. "When I met her on her 90th birthday, she told me, 'I know all about you, everything about you. I gave you your first bath'."

Kincardine Minor Hockey, represented by Jeff Steven, Tristan Steven and Nathan Bishop, presented a gift and flowers to Paul and Eleanor. "We used to hate playing you guys, because you'd always win," said Henderson.

Keith Davidson of the Canada Day 150 committee, then told the story of Henderson's birth. His mother was visiting his grandparents at their farm at Amberley and she went into labour just as a massive snowstorm hit, blocking all the roads. His grandfather got the horse and sleigh and they went out on the frozen surface of Lake Huron, headed north to Kincardine hospital 12 miles away in freezing cold.

His mother gave birth to him in the sleigh out on the lake just before they arrived at the hospital. Lexi Bell was the young nurse who attended to Henderson. Years later, she said she remembered that night. "It took me 15 minutes to get all the straw off that wee lad's body!"

For Canadians, Henderson's shot in the final seconds of the Canada-U.S.S.R. (Russia) Summit Series was simply the greatest goal ever scored.



Keith Davidson tells the story of hockey legend Paul Henderson's birth in Kincardine

Kirkconnell and Eadie then unveiled the plaque which depicts a horse and sleigh and the message telling the story of Henderson's birth.

"How lucky we are to live in this country," said Henderson. "We were watching the sun set last night, and seriously, you are so lucky to live here. My wife, Eleanor, has been a great influence on me and helped me to become the man I am today."

Paul and Eleanor visited with many in the crowd and then climbed back into the carriage to join the Canada Day 150 parade through downtown Kincardine.

Ewyn Campbell said he remembers the day Henderson was born. "We lived about a mile-and-a-half from where the grandparents lived. We knew the family. His father was overseas when Paul was born."