(Team Canada goalie Ken Dryden and defenceman Rod Seiling combine to block a scoring attempt by Soviet defenceman Valery Vasiliev during the first Canada-Soviet series in this Sept. 8, 1972, photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS 1997 (Fls-CP)
Photo Gallery: Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden dies at 78
Ken Dryden, the Hall of Fame goaltender whose long resume in and out of hockey included six Stanley Cup victories and helping backstop Canada’s generation-defining victory at the 1972 Summit Series, died Friday at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer.
Born Aug. 8, 1947, in Hamilton, Ont., Dryden grew up in a Toronto suburb with his parents, brother and sister.
A key member of the Montreal Canadiens’ 1970s dynasty, Dryden’s career in the spotlight was only just getting started when he retired from the game — and while at the top of his own game — in his early 30s.
A lawyer, author, politician and NHL executive, he would go on to leave an indelible mark across large swaths of wider Canadian society.
Here is a look at some scenes from Dryden’s hockey and political careers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2025.
Ken Dryden, right, shakes hands with Toronto Maple Leafs owner Steve Stavro at a news conference, Friday, May 30, 1997, in Toronto where it was announced that Dryden was named the new president of the Toronto NHL club. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Moe DoironFormer Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden rests on his stick during a 1979 game. THE CANADIAN PRESSTeam Canada goaltender Ken Dryden is surrounded by Soviet players on Sept. 2, 1972 during Canada’s hockey series with the former Soviet Union. THE CANADIAN PRESSA statuette of former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden is seen at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tannis TooheyToronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin, centre, shakes hands with team president Ken Dryden, right, and head coach and general manager Pat Quinn following a news conference in Toronto Wednesday July 18, 2001. Sundin, who will play in his eighth season as a Maple Leaf, signed a 6-year deal worth US$52.5 million. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kevin FrayerToronto Maple Leafs president Ken Dryden listens to a reporters question at a news conference in Toronto Wednesday, June 23, 1999. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kevin FrayerFormer Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden addresses the crowd from centre ice at the Bell Centre as his jersey is retired during a pre-game ceremony Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan RemiorzToronto Maple Leafs president Ken Dryden, second from right, listens to a question with, from left to right, federal Industry Minister John Manley, NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow and Calgary Flames president Harley Hotchkiss, at a news conference in Toronto, Monday, June 28, 1999. The group was meeting to discuss federal funding for Canada’s NHL franchises. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kevin FrayerMontreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks hockey legends, from left, Henri Richard, Ken Dryden, Tony Esposito, Guy Lafleur, Bobby Hull and Yvan Cournoyer pose for a photo prior to a ceremony, Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul ChiassonFormer Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden and members of his family gather at centre ice at the Bell Centre as his number is raised during a pre-game ceremony Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan RemiorzFormer Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden waves to the crowd at the Bell Centre as his number is retired during a pre-game ceremony Monday, Jan. 29, 2007, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan RemiorzKen Dryden, right, takes the oath of office as Minister of Social Development from Clerk of Priviy Council Alex Himelfarb while Prime Minister Paul Martin, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and her husband John Rolston Saul look on during cabinet swearing-in ceremony in Ottawa, Tuesday, July 20, 2004. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred ChartrandMontreal Canadiens hockey greats Ken Dryden, left, and Serge Savard don their sweaters at a news conference in Montreal on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006 to announce the retirement of their sweater numbers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian BarrettLeadership candidate Ken Dryden delivers his speech at the Liberal leadership convention Friday, Dec. 1, 2006 in Montreal. (CP PHOTO/Ryan Remiorz) CANADASerge Savard, right, laughs as Ken Dryden shows a picture of the duo, with Buffalo Sabre Rick Martin during their playing days, at a news conference to announce the retirement of their sweater numbers in Montreal, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian BarrettFormer Montreal Canadiens greats Ken Dryden and Serge Savard, background, field questions at a news conference to announce the retirement of their sweater numbers, in Montreal, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2006. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian BarrettPrime Minister Paul Martin gestures to Quebec Premier Jean Charest as social development Minister Ken Dryden and Carole Theberge sign a child care deal in Montreal, on Friday, Oct. 28, 2005. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ian BarrettLiberal leadership candidate Ken Dryden outlines his platform at a news conference in Ottawa Tuesday, Sept 5, 2006. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tom HansonKen Dryden and members of Team Canada from the 1972 Summit Series are honoured in the House of Commons, in Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick DoyleKen Dryden is recognized during a pre-game ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Team Canada’s victory in the 1972 Summit Series, prior to NHL preseason action between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick IwanyshynOrder of Canada member Paul Henderson, right, speaks with former teammate and Officer of the Order of Canada Ken Dryden, following an induction ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Friday, May 3, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian WyldTeam Canada 1972 Summit Series players, from left, Yvan Cournoyer, Serge Savard, Guy Lapointe, Ken Dryden, and Peter Mahovolich pose for photos at a news conference, in Montreal on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan RemiorzFormer Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden, right, takes his famous pose as he chats with former teammate Steve Shutt during centennial celebrations Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul ChiassonDon Awrey, left to right, Ken Dryden, Vladislav Tretiak, Alexander Yakushev, Yuri Liapkin and Pat Stapleton, veterans of the 1972 Summit Series, attend the Canada-Russia hockey challenge at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax on Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew VaughanFormer Montreal Canadiens teammates, from left, Rejean Houle, Yvon Lambert, Steve Shutt and Ken Dryden, chat during centennial celebrations, on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
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