At its 2017 Annual Meeting of Player Representatives which served as the official launch to the PHPA’s 50^th Anniversary celebrations, five former players, each representing a designated decade, were brought back to address all Player Reps about what playing conditions were like during their era as well as highlight their involvement with the PHPA.  It was a means to honour the past as the Association turned 50, while helping educate the current crop of players about how far their Association has come.

In fact, the presentations made by Era Representatives Glenn Patrick (1967-77), Claude Noel (1977-87), Paul Jerrard (1987-97), Dane Jackson (1997-2007), and Peter Vandermeer (2007 – 17) were so well received, that PHPA Executive Director Larry Landon initiated the Executive Director’s Honouring the Past Award this following year, where a former player of his choosing would be invited to attend the PHPA Annual Meeting and speak to Player Reps about their experiences with the PHPA.

In 2018, Max Fortunus, a long-time PHPA Player Rep and member of the Executive Committee addressed all attendees as the inaugural recipient of the Award.

This year’s recipient is Archie Henderson, who split his 11-year professional career between the NHL, AHL, IHL, and CHL and will return for the 2019 PHPA Annual Meeting this June in Orlando, Florida.

“I was thrilled when Larry called me with the great news and invited me to the PHPA Annual Meeting,” said Henderson.  “I have so many fond memories from my time as a player and working with the PHPA that I hope to engage the current players and tell some good stories.”

Henderson, who hails from Calgary, Alberta became a PHPA Player Representative at the beginning of the 1979-80 season during his second stint with the Hershey Bears.  He was elected to the PHPA Executive Committee a few years after that. 

“I spent a significant amount of time and dedication on behalf of the players, especially during CBA negotiations.  I was always trying to improve the medical plan, make sure players were compensated for their travel in / travel out, ensuring guys were compensated when they were moved from one team to another, as well as fighting for additional meal money.”

However, Henderson notes his biggest accomplishment with the PHPA was being involved in the process that led to the hiring of Larry Landon as PHPA Executive Director.  “I was on the PHPA Executive at the time with Ted Nolan, Peter Dineen, and Don Nauchbauer when Curt Leichner (former PHPA Executive Director) was preparing to retire,” said Henderson.  “Decisions were being made as to who would take over.  We approached Larry with the opportunity and he initially declined to pursue a coaching career.  But we persisted and convinced him to come on board.  Curt eventually drafted the contract terms and compensation to officially name Larry Landon as Deputy Executive Director in 1991 and that he would become Executive Director in 1993. This was a huge step for the PHPA at the time.  It was definitely time for a change as the PHPA needed an influx of new ideas, and look how things have turned out since.”

Henderson was able to pad his resume with many experiences and accomplishments from being a PHPA Player Representative and member of the Executive Committee.  After his final season he secured a letter of reference from Curt Leichner which went a long way following his playing career.  “Curt spoke to the fact that as a Player Rep I gained managerial skills and learned many business aspects of the game through involvement with CBA negotiations.  That was a tremendous benefit to me and helped launch my post hockey career.”

Following his final playoff game with Saginaw in 1988, former CHL Commissioner, Bud Poile, whom he had met through CBA negotiations, helped Henderson land a Head Coaching job with the expansion Indianapolis Ice of the IHL. 

After four seasons of coaching Henderson was hired by the Washington Capitals as a Pro Scout, and would hold the same position with the Ottawa Senators and now Detroit Red Wings.  “I really enjoy the job, which also allows me to stay connected with many members of the hockey community that I met along the way.”

Henderson is looking forward to the PHPA Annual Meeting this June and connecting with as many players as he can.  “I hope the players of today realize that the development of the PHPA as well as the AHL, and ECHL did not happen over night.  It takes time to make the necessary advancements and win battles for players.  The PHPA has grown substantially since I was a player and I can’t wait to share some stories to illustrate that fact.”