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Kendryden, a Hockey Hall of Fame and a Montreal Canadiens player, has passed away. He was 78 years old.
The Montreal Canadiens announced on Saturday, September 6th that Goultrender, who helped the team win six Stanley Cups in the 1970s, died after being diagnosed with cancer.
In a statement, Jeff Molson, owner and president of the Montreal Canadiens, said Dryden is not only an “exceptional athlete”, but also a “exceptional man” and “behind a mask that is bigger than life.”
“We are not only lost today’s foundations of hockey’s biggest dynasty, but we are not the man of our family, our thoughtful citizens, and gentlemen who have deeply influenced our lives and communities across generations,” Molson added. “He was one of the true legends who helped shape the club the way it is today.”
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“Ken embodies everything the Montreal Canadians are aiming for, and his legacy in our society transcends our sport,” he continued.
“On behalf of the Molson family and our entire organization, I would like to extend my most sincere pathetic dol to his family, his friends, and to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him on a personal level beyond his path,” concluded Molson.
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Born in Hamilton, Ontario on August 8, 1947, Dryden made his debut with the Canadiens during the 1970-71 season. In just six games, he led the team to victory before leading them to the Stanley Cup final and winning the championship.
In Drydan’s rookie year, he also won the Conn Smythe trophy, which is awarded annually to the most valuable players of his team during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Dryden continued to win awards for his performances at ice hockey field, including the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in his first full season in 1971-72, and five times as the league’s top goaltender, including the 1972-73, 1975-76 and the 1978-79 season.
He later helped lead the Canadians to five more Stanley Cup championships throughout the 1970s before retiring in 1979. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and retired from his Jersey No. 29 in January 2007.
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Not only was Dryden excellent on ice, he was also a writer. He published several novels with Montreal, including the bestseller The Game, which was the first person description for the 1978-79 season.
The late athlete also worked in public services and served as Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin’s Minister of Social Development between 2004 and 2005. His services won the Order of Canada in 2012.
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Canadian current Prime Minister Mark Carney paid tribute to the hockey player after sharing with X. “That’s why I became a goalkeeper, but I never mastered the ability to rely on his sticks, let alone keeping the puck out of the net.”
“When he returned to college at the height of his playing career, he was taught the importance of life balance. His post-hockey career showed the value of public service,” he continued.
“There were few people who gave more Canadians or got taller for our country,” Carney added. “Ken Dryden was the big Canadian and he was the best in Canada. Rest in peace.”
The Montreal Canadiens said the Dryden family sought privacy while lamenting their loved ones. The team added that anyone who wants to respect him should donate to Princess Margaret Cancer Center or the Concussion Legacy Foundation.
