Ken Dryden

Kenneth Wayne Dryden was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender, lawyer, author, politician, and hockey executive.

Ken Dryden was a Canadian ice hockey goaltender who won six Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and later served as a federal cabinet minister.

What it is

Kenneth Wayne Dryden (1947–2025) played his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens from 1970 to 1979. He won six Stanley Cups, the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year, and five Vezina Trophies. His jersey number 29 was retired by the Canadiens in 2007, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983.

Why it matters

Dryden is regarded as one of the most accomplished goaltenders in NHL history. Beyond hockey, he became a lawyer, author, television analyst, hockey executive (including president of the Toronto Maple Leafs), and a Member of Parliament for York Centre. He served as Canada’s Minister of Social Development, making him a rare figure who excelled in both professional sports and national public life.

Key details

Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Dryden played university hockey at Cornell before joining Montreal. He won the Vezina Trophy five times under the original team-based format. After retiring, he wrote several books, including *The Game*, and received the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2020. His career is a notable example of Canadian achievement in sports and governance.