Canadian · Hamilton, Ontario · Born 8 August 1947Ken Dryden is a Canadian Hall of Fame goaltender who backstopped the Montreal Canadiens to six Stanley Cups in an eight-season career, later becoming an author, executive, and politician.
Kenneth Wayne Dryden was born in Hamilton, Ontario in 1947. He attended Cornell University and was selected by Montreal Canadiens in the 1964 Amateur Draft. His professional career lasted only eight active seasons — yet produced six Stanley Cup championships (1971, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979). He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1971 — his first playoff appearance — and five Vezina Trophies as the NHL's best goaltender (1973, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979). His career goals-against average of 2.24 is the lowest in modern NHL history. He took a year off from hockey in 1974-75 to article as a law student — then returned and continued winning championships. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. After his playing career he became a bestselling author — his book The Game is widely considered the finest piece of sports literature in Canadian history. He was elected to Canada's Parliament and served as Minister of Social Development. He is one of the most intellectually distinguished figures in the history of professional sport.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender, six-time Stanley Cup champion, five-time Vezina Trophy winner
He won the Conn Smythe as playoff MVP before winning the Rookie of the Year award — the only player in NHL history to win them in that order.
Did You Know?How They Played
Dryden was known for his calm, analytical approach to goaltending and his exceptional positioning. At 6'4", he used his size effectively to cover the net while maintaining excellent reflexes and puck-handling skills. His signature resting pose, leaning on his stick between plays, became iconic and reflected his thoughtful, cerebral approach to the position.
Lasting Impact
Dryden revolutionized goaltending with his intellectual approach and showed that athletes could successfully pursue academic and professional careers alongside sports. His post-hockey writing and political career demonstrated the potential for athletes to contribute meaningfully to society beyond their playing days.
Career Honours
- Hockey Hall of Fame (1983)
- 6x Stanley Cup champion
- 5x Vezina Trophy (1973, 1976-1979)
- Conn Smythe Trophy (1971)
- Calder Trophy (1972)
- 6x NHL All-Star Team
- NHL 100th Anniversary Team
- jersey #29 retired by Montreal Canadiens
| Team | Period | GP |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal Canadiens | 1971–1979 | 397 |
Canadian Athletes