Ken Dryden, Montreal Canadiens Corridor of Fame goalie, dies at age 78 : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2706x3412+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F52%2Fdc%2F0077274845b7a8caffced9e724d3%2Fap25249173507292.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2706x3412+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F52%2Fdc%2F0077274845b7a8caffced9e724d3%2Fap25249173507292.jpg" class="img" alt="Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden, pictured in 1977, died Saturday. The Hall of Famer helped the Canadiens win six Stanley Cup titles." fetchpriority="high"/> Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden, pictured in 1977, died Saturday. The Corridor of Famer helped the Canadiens win six Stanley Cup titles. ‎/AP conceal caption

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‎/AP MONTREAL — Ken Dryden, the Corridor of Fame goaltender who helped the Montreal Canadiens win six Stanley Cup titles within the Nineteen Seventies, has died after a combat with most cancers. He was 78.

The Canadiens introduced his loss of life early Saturday, saying Dryden's household requested for privateness. A workforce spokesperson mentioned a detailed buddy of Dryden's appointed by the household contacted the group, including he died peacefully Friday at his residence.

"Ken Dryden was an distinctive athlete, however he was additionally an distinctive man," Canadiens proprietor Geoff Molson mentioned. "Behind the masks he was bigger than life. We mourn at this time not solely the lack of the cornerstone of considered one of hockey's biggest dynasties but additionally a household man, a considerate citizen and a gentleman who deeply impacted our lives and communities throughout generations."

Dryden backstopped the NHL's most profitable franchise to championships in six of his eight seasons within the league from 1970-71 to '78-79. He received the Calder Trophy as rookie of the 12 months, the Vezina as the most effective goalie 5 occasions and the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP in 1971, whereas being a six-time All-Star.

"Ken embodied the most effective of all the pieces the Montreal Canadiens are about," Molson mentioned.

Recognized for resting his blocker and glove fingers on high of his stick in a relaxed method that grew to become considered one of hockey's most recognizable poses, the 6-foot-4 Dryden retired at simply 31 in 1979.

"From the second Ken Dryden joined the Montreal Canadiens as a 23-year-old rookie in 1971, he made an instantaneous and lasting affect on the NHL, the Canadiens franchise and the goaltending place," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned. "Ken's love for his nation was evident each on and off the ice."

Inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame in 1983, Dryden was 258-57-74 with a .922 save proportion, 2.24 goals-against common and 46 shutouts in simply over seven seasons and went 80-32 within the playoffs.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on social media he was "deeply saddened to study of the passing of the Hon. Ken Dryden, a Canadian hockey legend and corridor of famer, public servant and inspiration."

"Few Canadians have given extra, or stood taller, for our nation," Carney mentioned. "Ken Dryden was Massive Canada. And he was Finest Canada. Relaxation in peace."

From Hamilton, Ontario, Dryden performed three seasons at Cornell College from 1966-69, main the Massive Crimson to the 1967 NCAA title and ending with a profession report of 76-4-1.

He was an NHL star, broadcaster and politician Dryden entered the NHL in 1971 and spent simply six video games within the crease earlier than making his NHL postseason debut. He and Montreal upset rival Boston within the first spherical and beat Chicago within the ultimate.

He then was a cornerstone of Canada's 1972 Summit Collection workforce that defeated the Soviet Union, beginning in objective within the decisive 6-5 victory in Recreation 8.

"I really feel the historical past of that event, the legacy of that workforce simply as strongly as all Canadian followers do," Dryden informed The Canadian Press in a 2022 interview. "It by no means goes away. It is sort of like a superb wine, I suppose. Truly, the legacy of it grows."

He additionally labored at a Toronto regulation agency whereas sitting out the 1973-74 NHL season — after beforehand incomes a regulation diploma at Montreal's McGill College.

After retiring as a participant, he went into broadcasting and wrote "The Recreation," among the finest recognized books concerning the sport, after publishing "Face-off on the Summit" as a part of an achieved profession as an writer. He was the colour analyst alongside Al Michaels for the "Miracle on Ice" when the U.S. beat the Soviet Union and went on to win the gold medal on the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Dryden served as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1997 by 2004 — a stretch accented by journeys to the Japanese Convention ultimate in each 1999 and 2002 — earlier than resigning to enter politics. He ran for the federal Liberals in 2004 and was named minister of social growth in Prime Minister Paul Martin's cupboard.

Dryden, who additionally taught at numerous universities throughout Canada, held onto his seat in Toronto's York Centre using in 2006 when the Liberals have been ousted, and once more in 2008, however misplaced in 2011.