Hometown: Whitehorse, YT
Major: Business Administration
DOB: June 28, 1989
Ht: 6'2”
Wt: 200
Parents: Lyle & Cindy Henderson
Grandparents: Bill & Bea Henderson
Siblings: Luke & Cassandra
Last Team: Spruce Grove Saints, Alberta Junior Hockey League
Favorite Coach: Steve Hamilton – Spruce Grove Saints, AJHL
Most memorable hockey moment: Winning the AJHL playoffs, 2009-2010; And setting
many AJHL records: Most wins, least goals against
Type of player: I'm a two-way player.
On ice awards: AJHL all-rookie team 2007; AJHL All-Star team 2008
Hobbies: Hunting (specifically sheep), fishing, and working out
Favorites…
Food: Mountain sheep steaks
TV Show: The Crush with Tiffany Lakosky
Movie: Shooter
Type of Music: Country
Pre-game ritual/superstitions: I like to go for a walk or run to get some fresh air, then eat
and nap, and listen to music until game-time.
NHL Player you emulate: Mike Richards – he never gives up on the ice and his intensity
he brings shift in and shift out
What's on your iPod? Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley
Favorite Quote: “Train to Win”
Celebrity you'd like to meet: Tom Brady
If the name
Adam Henderson rings a bell for Nanook fans, it's because Henderson played the 2008-2009 season for the Michigan State Spartans. Although new to the Alaska program, Henderson begins his time with the Nanooks as a sophomore. The forward from Whitehorse spent two seasons with the Spruce Grove Saints (2006, 2007) of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, before heading to Lansing for his freshman collegiate season. A year later, Henderson was back in Spruce Grove to play for the Saints for the 2009-2010 campaign.
“When I chose to leave Michigan State,” Henderson said, “it was a no-brainer to go back to Spruce Grove. I knew the team would be strong and have the opportunity to win the AJHL, and compete for the national championship.”
The decision to make the move resulted in Henderson leading the charge as Spruce Grove captured the AJHL playoff title and set several league records, including most wins by a team (54 wins in the 60 game schedule) and fewest goals against. Spruce Grove's playoff championship set up a matchup in the Doyle Cup – a crossover series between the AJHL champion and the BCHL champion Vernon Vipers. The victor earned the right to play in the RBC Cup – Canada's Junior A national championship. Vernon edged Henderson's Saints in game seven to advance and ultimately win the RBC Cup.
During the season Henderson posted 35 goals and 41 assists for 76 points – third in scoring for the Saints. As impressive as those numbers might be, what is more astounding are Henderson's numbers during his first two years at Spruce Grove. In 2006, he put up 24 goals and 27 assists for 51 points. In 2007, he improved those numbers by netting 26 goals, and dishing 32 assists for a total of 58. It normally takes a year in junior hockey for a player to feel completely comfortable in his surroundings and improve their offensive production. Henderson, on the other hand, was a model of consistency for Spruce Grove as he chalked up 51 points in his first year, 58 points during his second, and 76 throughout the Saint's championship season.
“Nanook fans can expect a player that will not give up on the ice – I will be one of the hardest workers,” Henderson said. “I go to the net hard.”
Henderson's latest hockey move would see him much closer to home and wrapped in a culture and environment he is more comfortable with.
“Michigan State was a bit of a culture shock for me, but coming to Fairbanks is closer to what I'm familiar with. I am much closer to my family and it now gives them the opportunity to come watch me play,” Henderson said.
