Tributes are pouring in from across Canada and beyond after former Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden — a legend of Canadian hockey — died at the age of 78.
Prime Minister Mark Carney was one of the first to take to social media to share his condolences.
“Ken Dryden was the reason I became a goalie, although I never mastered his ability to lean on his stick let alone keep the puck out of the net,” Carney said in a post on X.
He said Dryden’s legacy went far beyond his Hall of Fame playing career, pointing to his balance of education, public service and sport as a model for Canadians.
“Few Canadians have given more, or stood taller, for our country,” the prime minister said. “Ken Dryden was Big Canada. And he was Best Canada. Rest in peace.”
Ken Dryden, Hall of Fame goaltender, dies of cancer at age 78
Dryden won six Stanley Cups with the Habs during the team’s 1970s dynasty. He was also feted for helping backstop Canada’s generation-defining victory at the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union.
Former teammate Serge Savard recalled the six-foot-four-inch goaltender’s entry into the league in 1971 as a 23-year-old rookie straight out of Cornell University and into the storied Montreal Canadiens dressing room.
Savard recalled that Dryden would come to the dressing room with books under his arm and attend McGill University after practise.
He said in an interview that many of his battle-hardened teammates would come to realize that Dryden was just ahead of his time.
A lawyer, author, politician and NHL executive, Dryden left an indelible mark across large swaths of wider Canadian society. He was invested as an officer of the Order of Canada in May 2013.
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said Dryden dedicated his life to advancing the well-being of Canadians both on and off the ice.
“Mr. Dryden’s quiet but powerful empathy, as well as his grace and devotion to serving others, are an inspiration. His contributions will be remembered with great respect,” Simon said in a statement.
“On behalf of all Canadians, my husband Whit and I offer our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all those touched by his extraordinary life and work.”
Dryden retired from hockey in his early 30s before moving on to several other careers, including public service in Ottawa. He held the post of minister of social development from 2004 to 2006 during the Liberal government of then-prime minister Paul Martin.
Geoff Molson, owner and president of the Montreal Canadiens, said Dryden was one of the “true legends” that helped shape the club into what it is today.
“We mourn today not only the loss of the cornerstone of one of hockey’s greatest dynasties, but also a family man, a thoughtful citizen, and a gentleman who deeply impacted our lives and communities across generations,” Molson said.
“Ken embodied the best of everything the Montreal Canadiens are about, and his legacy within our society transcends our sport.”
‘Nobody else like him’: Steve Paikin reflects on friend Ken Dryden’s life and legacy
Dryden also served as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1997 through 2004 — a stretch accented by trips to the Eastern Conference final in both 1999 and 2002 — before resigning to enter politics.
Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said Dryden brought his leadership and vision to the team, setting a “standard of excellence at his position.”
“His influence on our organization, on the game of hockey, and on Canadian life was profound and enduring,” Treliving said in a statement.
Other NHL teams joined in sharing their condolences on Saturday.
The Vancouver Canucks said Dryden’s impact was “felt far beyond the crease.”
“On behalf of the entire Canucks organization, our players, staff and fans, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Ken’s family, friends and to all who admired him,” the team said in a statement posted on X. “His legacy will continue to inspire generations of hockey players and thinkers.”
The Los Angeles Kings said in a post on X that Dryden was a “giant both in hockey and in life, inspiring countless people and influencing change in profound ways that will forever be remembered.”
Dryden is survived by his wife, Lynda, and their two children.
