Former UNB star Kevin Henderson scores in NHL debut with Nashville Predators

Source: Maureen Sparks, UNB Sports Info

FREDERICTON, N.B. - Former UNB Varsity Reds star Kevin Henderson scored his first career goal 10 minutes into his first NHL game with the Nashville Predators Friday night in Chicago.

Henderson, a native of Toronto, Ont., capitalized on a scramble near the goal midway through the first period after Bobby Butler drove to the net. Henderson slammed home a loose puck past Blackhawks' goalie Corey Crawford to give the Predators a 2-1 lead at the 10:42 mark of the opening frame.

"I was fortunate to get the goal there and help the team out, but it was just an amazing experience for me," Henderson said in a post-game recap on the Predators' website. "I was just by myself, and knew I got a stick on it. I was just ecstatic."

Henderson had been playing in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals - the farm team of the Predators and had been enjoying his best pro season with 16 goals and 11 assists for 27 points in 65 games played. In his most recent game with Milwaukee versus the Chicago Wolves, he netted  the game winning goal and was named 1st star in a 3-2 victory.

Henderson is now in his fourth professional season after signing a two-year NHL deal with the San Jose Sharks following a 2009 National Championship with UNB. He played his first two years with the AHL's Worchester Sharks, but suffered a major shoulder injury at the Portland Pirates training camp in 2011 before signing on with Milwaukee last January. He then had signed a one year NHL contract this fall with Nashville.

Henderson spent two seasons with UNB and in 2008-09, finished tied for fifth in Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) in regular season scoring with 50 points (19 goals, 31 assists) in 28 games; tops on the team. He also added 28 penalty minutes and finished with a +/- rating of +31.

Henderson won the UNB most improved player award, was named Atlantic conference first team all-star forward and received honorable mention as a CIS all-Canadian. He played a key role in the success of the Varsity Reds during those two seasons helping them win the 2009 National Championship after being the 2008 University Cup silver medalists.

"It is a lifetime opportunity for Kevin, his family and the entire V-Reds family. It is rewarding to see one of our former players be rewarded for his persistence, his work ethic and his belief in his goals to finally get the chance to play in the National Hockey League," said UNB Head Coach Gardiner MacDougall.

Henderson joins Darryl Boyce (Toronto/Columbus) as the most recent UNB players to make the NHL.