Beloved Boston Bruins goaltender John Henderson passes away at the age of 91
The NHL Alumni Association has sadly reported that the beloved Boston Bruins goaltender John Henderson has tragically passed away at the age of 91.
John Henderson, the oldest living goalie for the Boston Bruins, passed away on Friday after an illness in White Rock, British Columbia. At 91 years young, he was the second-oldest goalie in NHL history, only behind Hall of Fame legend Glenn Hall, who turned 93 on October 3rd. A towering presence and legacy, Henderson left his mark on not just the NHL but also on the world of hockey outside the league walls.
Henderson, "Long John" to many, was born March 25, 1933, in Toronto. He was an astonishing 6 feet 5 inches tall. Henderson broke into professional hockey with the Boston Bruins. He played in 46 regular-season NHL games with Boston, 45 of those games in 1954-55. The next season, he played one more regular season and two in playoffs but lost them both. He compiled 15 regular-season wins against 14 losses and 16 ties with a more-than-respectable 2.58 goals-against average, a .857 save percentage, and five shutouts, which back then were incredible numbers in such a high-scoring league.
While short in the NHL, the career of Henderson reached much farther from the league into the minor professional ranks. He played in leagues such as the AHL, WHL, and QHL, showing off his skills to more North American hockey. Among them was a shutout he threw for the Hershey Bears in the 1969 Calder Cup playoffs en route to a championship. He was a lifelong participant in hockey both as a player and through business interests off of the ice.
The reason he was known as "Long John," was that this did not only respect his height but his tenaciousness in the sport. Although he had hardly any time in the NHL, he did have success in senior-league hockey and proved to be a star goalie in the minor leagues. His fabulous journey through hockey is remembered highly by teammates and fans alike.
John Henderson left behind a legacy synonymous with persistence, talented skill, and love for the game. We would like to send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and former teammates. His memory in the sport will be recalled as part of the history of hockey itself, not only because of his years with the Boston Bruins but also for his continuity into the minor league and beyond.
