Ken Dryden, the Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender who backstopped the Montreal Canadiens’ 1970s dynasty, died on Friday at age 78 from cancer, the Canadiens announced.
Dryden was one of the greatest goalies in NHL history despite playing only seven full seasons. A fascinating intellectual beyond the rink, he retired in the middle of his prime — after winning six Stanley Cup championships and five Vezina trophies — to pursue interests in business, law and politics, where he was equally successful.
In a team-released statement, Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said: “Ken Dryden was an exceptional athlete, but he was also an exceptional man. Behind the mask he was larger than life. 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. He was one of the true legends that helped shape this Club into what it is today. Ken embodied the best of everything the Montreal Canadiens are about, and his legacy within our society transcends our sport. On behalf of the Molson family and our entire organization, I would like to extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and all who had the privilege to cross his path and know him on a personal level.”
