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It's been almost 40 years since Paul Henderson scored the winning goal in the deciding game of the 1972 Summit Series against the then-Soviet Union, but the magic hasn't worn off.

"I never get tired of seeing that goal," says Henderson. "My wife watches it every night before she goes to bed."

Paul Henderson talks to a crowd inside the trailer

Henderson was in Kincardine yesterday afternoon (Jan. 29), a day after his 68th birthday, to greet people who were taking in the Henderson Jersey Homecoming Tour at the Davidson Centre.

A 45-foot trailer and stage were set up in the parking lot and the public was encouraged to walk through the trailer and check out the No. 19 jersey as well as plenty of memorabilia - some never seen before.

Kincardine mayor Larry Kraemer presented Henderson with a gold tie pin with the Municipality of Kincardine logo on it.

Kraemer remembers when that famous Henderson goal was scored.

"I was 17 at the time and we were at the International Plowing Match in Stratford," he said. "The only place to see the game was in the beer tent so we snuck in and watched it."

Henderson became a household name after scoring that legendary goal. Born in Kincardine, he played most of his hockey in Lucknow and entered the National Hockey League in 1961 with the Detroit Red Wings. He moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1967-68 season and left the Leafs and the league in 1974.

He played for the World Hockey League's Toronto Toros for two seasons and later for the Birmingham Bulls. He returned to the NHL in the 1979-80 season when he played for the Atlanta Flames.

After he retired, Henderson wrote two books, "The Fans Go Wild" and "Shooting for Glory" and has become a motivational speaker.

He has been diagnosed with cancer but Saturday afternoon he said he feels great.

"I remember when I was born 68 years ago, here in Kincardine," he said. "It was cold as hell that day too. At least now I'm wearing gloves."

Sponsored by SmartCentres, whose owner bought the jersey for $1.27-million, the tour will cover Ontario and Western Canada over the next four months and then Eastern Canada later in the year. It will stop in 60 small towns across the country. Henderson will be at 16 of those stops.

"When I heard this tour was going, I wanted the first destinations to be my hometown of Lucknow, my birthplace of Kincardine and Goderich where I played hockey."

More than 500 people turned out to see Henderson in Lucknow on Jan. 28, and while there were fewer at the stop in Kincardine, they were just as excited.

Noah Swann, Ryan Wheeler and Gordie Reaume of Kincardine were watching the winning goal as it played on a big screen television in the trailer. All three play novice hockey and were thrilled to be near such a hockey great as Henderson.

Noah Swann (L), 6, Ryan Wheeler, 7, and Gordie Reaume, 7, of Kincardine watch the 1972 game on a big screen TV in the trailer

Audrey Ferguson and her daughter, Anne Eadie, former neighbours of Henderson, were overjoyed to see him and presented him with a copy of Lester Ferguson's Second World War memories. Lester and Henderson's father, Garnet, both served in the war and grew up together on the 2nd Concession of Huron Township, near Point Clark.

Stuart Killin and his son, Ross, were glad to be at the exhibit, because it reminded Stuart of a similar historical moment in Scotland.

"In Scotland in 1978, we had the same kind of moment," he said. "One of our great athletes, Archie Gemmill, scored the winning goal in the soccer match against Holland. It was the ultimate goal and it went down in history."

Everyone wanted to talk with Henderson and relive what he/she was doing when that goal was scored in 1972.

Bob Surridge (L) of Kincardine talks to Paul Henderson

So, does the notoriety ever wear off?

"No, it keeps hanging around, it never seems to go away," said Henderson.

He is looking forward to next year when there will be a huge celebration to mark the 40th anniversary of the "Goal that United a Nation."

"There were 35 guys on that team and we've been getting together for reunions each year," said Henderson. "We had 25 guys last year, a couple of them have passed away. It'd be nice to get them all together next year for the 40th anniversary."

As for the famous jersey, Henderson said he wore it for the hockey game and never wore it again. He gave it to the team's trainer who kept it until 1990 and sold it to an American. Fortunately, it found its way back to Canada and prompted the homecoming tour.

Keith Davidson (L), formerly of Kincardine, shakes hands with Paul Henderson

Paul Henderson (C) poses with Audrey Ferguson (L) and Anne Eadie



Ross Killin, 4, of Kincardine is draped in a homecoming tour scarf and poses with the famous No. 19 jersey



Paul Henderson (L) takes time to greet a former classmate, Carol Andrew (R), and her grandson, Derek Andrew, 16

Tammy (L) and Manny Page (R) and their children, Chloe and Jesse, get their picture taken with Paul Henderson



Ben Watson, 7, of Kincardine becomes Paul Henderson after putting his face in this photo cut-out



The famous No. 19 jersey sits in a display case

To read a history of Paul Henderson, as written by local historian Robert R. Courtney, click here.

Henderson still plays hockey but just with his grandsons, Alton and Logan McDiarmid, who are seven and nine years old. "Remember those names," he said. "They're going to be in the NHL someday."

For more information about the tour, log on to www.hendersonjerseytour.com

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Saturday, January 29, 2011