Henri Payette
Sport: Lacrosse
Year Inducted: 1977
Henri Payette was certainly one of Cornwall’s most traveled lacrosse players and undoubtedly one of the best over a period of 17 years and a most successful coach as well. He was a talented centre-man with exceptional lacrosse sense, stick handling ability, and a prolific scorer.
In 1934, while still a junior, he played with the Canadians in the Montreal Senior League.
He played with Cornwall Canadians in the United Counties Senior League. He was one of the top scorers all these seasons.
In 1938, Henri went to Sarnia in the International Border League where he was the top team point getter and second in the league.
Back in Cornwall, he played with the Cornwall Seniors who were beaten out by Vancouver Burrards in the Mann Cup Semi-Finals. The Burrards went on to win the Canadian Championship. Again the leading scorer, he declined an offer to move to Vancouver.
From 1941-44, he played with Lachine in Quebec Provincial League and led the league in scoring all three years. He was a playing coach in 1944. In Quebec City in 1945, he played and coached the team to Provincial Finals. He led the Cornwall Seniors to the Eastern Canada title in 1946.
He ended his lacrosse career as playing coach of the Cornwall seniors in 1950.
His most notable scoring feat was 13 goals and 6 assists while playing with Lachine against Sherbrooke.
Henri was also a senior class hockey player.