Ken Dryden passed away yesterday. He was a giant in several areas of the game, and I find myself a little emotional about the news. Dryden was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1964, third round and No. 14 overall. He went to Cornell instead of signing and the Bruins traded him to Sam Pollock (of course) and the Montreal Canadiens not much later. In the spring of 1971, the Canadiens (as powerful a franchise as any in history at that time) looked a little flat as the league headed to the postseason. Pollock, who was a magician as a manager, recalled Dryden from the Montreal Voyageurs (AHL) for six regular season games and he shone like a diamond.
Dryden then proceeded to flatten hockey giants, including my beloved Boston Bruins of the Bobby Orr era, effectively ending my childhood and introducing bitter disappointment into my lexicon of emotions. Dryden was his own man, and earned respect with his actions, which included holding out for an entire season until Pollock gave him a salary he’d clearly earned.
His NHL career was short, but his impact on the game continued throughout his life. The Game, a wonderful book published in 1983, remains one of the finest in the sport’s history. His book with Scotty Bowman is also an enjoyable read, despite some outrageous opinions from Bowman about the Oilers.
Dryden gave a speech at the closing of Maple Leaf Gardens that may well still be going in some space/time continuums of our existence. He was a brilliant and throughtful man. I never met him, but my friend Dave Jamieson carried on a significant friendship with him over years. The fact that Dryden appreciated Jamieson’s wit and character is, I think, a credit to both men.
As one ages, death of individuals can take the wind out of you. In youth, there is shock at losing someone famous who impacted you (John Candy, Princess Diana for me) and of course personal loss is on a much different scale.
I was not prepared for Dryden’s passing. He was always that young goalie on the hastily prepared 1971-72 O-Pee-Chee hockey card of my youth. Rest in peace, sir, my thoughts are with his family. He was a giant of a man in all ways.
— a retired Mentor and close friend of mine from my firm went to Brown (Dryden was a Brown college graduate). We were exchanging texts this morning about the news and I asked if he and Ken’s paths ever crossed
— He tells me “first time I met ken he was standing in line in front of me at a deli on Yonge street near where I lived, in the year that he took off from hockey”. : I had to look it up didn’t realize Ken took a season off because of contract dispute. Anyway his texts continue:” Ken graduated from Brown in spring ‘68, I was freshmen in fall of 68 so never there at same time”
— texts continue : So standing in the line I tap hi and put my hand out and say “”Ken it’s David, Brown ‘72 economics and Hockey”. So they connect ate lunch together and had a lot in common and were friends ever since he tells me
— My mentor never mentioned this to me in all the years I knew him that he and Ken were so close He’s going to a pall bearer at funeral which he tells me is going to be a big thing.
— Ken Dryden was one of the minority of athletes that contributed a lot to society after his hockey career in avenues outside of sport. A real giant
I took a break from hockey news and enjoyed the summer. Labour Day has passed and McDavid has no extension. More and more sports journalists are warning us that the end is coming. Yesterday it was Cathal Kelly in the Globe and Mail with the comment that “McDavid is quite quitting the Oilers.” It saddens me to say that, to me, it’s really starting to look that way.
If McDavid won’t sign or won’t tell the Oilers what he wants, then the Oilers need to find out where he wants to go and start the bidding. Let’s hope it’s the Oilers, but if it isn’t then let’s hope McDavid’s list includes more than 1 team.
McDavid’s long goodbye has Oilers marching to the beat of the captain’s drum
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/article-connor-mcdavid-contract-extension-edmonton-oilers-nhl-long-goodbye/
I would respectfully suggest returning to enjoying your summer and permanently taking a break from getting any hockey news from the Globe and Mail.
— it’s refreshing to take breaks from things that we spend a lot on.
— I gave up fantasy football this year (won league las year so left on top)
— It was just too consuming for what is such a silly thing to be so invested in.
— I’m like that too for hockey. I’m certain that without this blog I would have only a passing interest in the Oilers.
— I’m thankful for the different dimension this blog affords me as an outlet to be a fan and just share and read different perspectives on the team and glimpses into the fascinating life of our host.
— Blue Jays currently consuming me though : going out for a run and will listen to rest of the game :f?ck the Yankees !
I didn’t see the news about Dryden until early this morning. I was not quite 5 in the spring of ’71 when he backstopped the Habs to that Cup and won the Conn Smythe. I can’t say I remember watching since I was so young, but I’m sure I was sitting with my Dad in the recliner chair for every first period that spring until bedtime. The game and the country have lost a legend, but the great thing about legends is they live on. We have his book The Game which I probably haven’t cracked open for 40 years. I pulled it from the bookshelf this morning and plan on getting back into it this week.
An exceptional eulogy from a man who knew Dryden very well.
https://www.nhl.com/news/ken-dryden-remembered-for-6-stanley-cup-wins-with-montreal-canadiens-and-off-ice-exploits
Growing up, despite her being forever devoted to her Leafs, Mom always spoke glowingly of Dryden and I recall an original hard copy of The Game always having a prominent spot on the bookshelf, where it remains to this day.
Being a goalie as a youngster I repeatedly tried to emulate the iconic pose resting on his stick but could never reach his heights, he was truly a giant in every sense of the word.
I think I’m done with McDavid. He is pissing with fans. He has more money than God and he is drawing it out. I don’t think he signs here. And I hope he never wins. He is a bloody turncoat. 99 never won a damn thing after he left. I hope that if he leaves he never wins a damn thing. It’s all about him. We have the best GD team in the league and he’s screwing around. It’s a tease.
We can win without him. Drai is a team guy. Cap space means we can address our defincies. Frankly, he can eat a bag of you know what. He will never win if he leaves because frankly nobody can afford him. Show up in the finals you dick.
It’s not about you, dude.
It’s his life, if this bothers you, that may be a clue that you have to work on some things. This is only a past-time (that some of us expend much more time, energy and money on than most people) for fans, but this is someone who has put his literal blood, sweat and tears into, not to mention the tens of thousands of $’s and thousands of hours his parents have put into putting him into this position.
It’s not about loyalty to us fans, and no matter what spin anyone else puts on it, it’s about being loyal to the people he is closest to.
I am grateful for every minute I’ve had him play on my team and I continue to hope for the best. If he moves on to play in another City, I will continue to cheer for him, as I did all the other long-time Oilers who eventually moved on. He gifted us 2 great Cup runs,
I deeply appreciate him and there is nothing he can do in the future that will change that.
I’ve revised my prediction: 7 years x $15 million
Easy man, let the guy decide what he wants. Only reason to be this mad is if McDavid wants out, strings the team along and we don’t get something decent in a trade. The chance of that is approximately zero.
I was born in the Vancouver area, but my family roots were ‘Bertan and as a child we moved to Edmonton area the year Gretzky became an Oiler.
It was during my first 6 years of life that I discovered hockey through school influences (I had the 1974 version of the Bobby Orr lunch box) and Ken Dryden, Larry Robinson and the Habs were my first hockey heroes.
Of any non-related adult (and Mrs Endersby, my grades 1-3 teacher & Evel Kneivel) Ken Dryden was by far the most influential. He was THE reason I wanted to be a goalie. There was so much about his approach and how he was different from every other hockey player that resonated with me.
RIP Le Penseur
My dad was born in 1951, grew up a Habs fan, and practiced law for 47 years. Probably not surprisingly, Ken Dryden was a big damn deal to my dad. I would have called him at this news. But I can’t anymore so I’ll call my mom tonight and talk to her about Ken Dryden and dad.
I disliked the Habs growing up yet everyone knew Dryden was the best. For a big man where the equipment was half the size and smaller reflex goaltenders were the norm he stood out. His pose is legendary where he rest his head on on his stick-blocker-glove and his awesome mask will be remembered.
Tomasek said the personal contact from Stan and his team was a major factor in him choosing Edmonton. Stan went to Sweden to meet with him.
Credit: On air with Gregor yesterday.
Stan Looked in every corner on the globe and came back with Tomasek-Samanski-Leppernen
On Samanski, part credit to Dallas Easkin, yes, Dallas Eakins.
He is coaching in Germany and put in a call to the Oilers org (and a few others he said) on him.
I wonder if Leon’s Dad was somehow involved as well? This is a huge year for this kid as he’s growing into his big frame. If he does well in Bakersfield and continues that in a world stage at the Olympics could he receive a cup of coffee or am I way ahead of myself?
I was a Habs fan before the Oilers came into the league. As kids are disposed to do, I liked what I thought was the best team. That playoff round against them was strange for me, happy the Oilers won, I think I had accepted Montreal fading out by then. Beating them cemented my Oiler fandom with finality. RIP Mr. Dryden
News of his death was the last thing I saw last night. It hit me.
Unlike you, watching him in those 1971 awakened something in me. He was beyond imagining. I’d never enjoyed hockey until Dryden.
My first hockey hero. My first hero. Still my hero (hockey, writing, service to country by running for office, head injury activist, intelligent voice about the game – and so much more).
Thank you for writing about him LT.
About twenty-five years ago, I entered an elevator in an office tower in downtown Toronto. It was a typical morning and I was on my way to work on the 26th floor. The doors closed, the elevator ascended for a few floors, and then the doors reopened. Entering the elevator was a tall, slightly crouching man lost in thought and moving as though he did not wish to be seen. His large head barely cleared the top of the entrance to the elevator. He positioned himself in the elevator, side by side with me, and so we shared a few seconds of silence. This was my first and most memorable encounter with Ken Dryden.
His passing has prompted a question for me: what makes a great hockey player? As I think about Dryden’s excellence on the ice and his many impressive endeavors off the ice, including his period of public service, I can’t avoid thinking about his full “human record” alongside those we tend to think of as the greatest players of all time. Alongside Ken Dryden and his many accomplishments, which other hockey players can compare? Not many, if any. In my view, Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky pale by comparison. They are not multi-faceted in the way that Dryden was. Their off-ice accomplishments are not all that memorable in a good way, particularly when one considers their regrettable forays into political commentary.
If we revisit our definition of “greatest hockey player of all time”, should Ken Dryden be at the top? Why not? He was perhaps the most celebrated goaltender of his generation; he won multiple Stanley Cups and Vezina trophies, etc., in a decade-long career; he could speak eloquently and thoughtfully, and write books, at least one or two of which would become classics; he gave himself to public service as a politician, aiming to improve the lives of his fellow citizens. What an amazing individual. His concerns transcended his individual life. He was not my favorite hockey player, but I think I would rank him as perhaps the greatest hockey player Canada has ever produced, taking into account his full slate of accomplishments. His footsteps cannot be filled by the stars of today, who are more one-dimensional. We will miss your fine example, Ken Dryden.
Dryden killed my team of the day, the Black Hawks in the final the year he won the Conn Smythe before winning the Calder the next year. (I was a big Makita fan) My dad hated his politics but at least his brother was an Oiler.
I remember. I watched that series, from the other side. It was an amazing series.
Growing up, all winter long we all knew the street hockey games started promptly after dinner. The games was always in front of the white house where the French family lived. That stretch of the avenue was our home rink. Neighbours never parked a car there …there we had two street lights to illuminate our game. We manicured that little patch, snow pushed to sides and piled to mini boards, the ruts on the road were beaten down to a point any Zamboni would be proud and two hockey bags with snow were strategically placed behind each goal to stop the missed shots from flying away into the darkness…”fing pics”
it seemed like everyone came to play hockey there. We just showed up and you knew which team you were on. If a new kid came the oldest kid (from white house) assigned them to one team and you had a new team for that winter. No parents, no non participants, the oldest kid was a player and the ref and commissioners we all silently agreed he was fair enough.
The goalies were either Tony O or Ken Dryden if you got there first.
i am certain my friends from that home rink are sad today.
Great writeup on one of my heroes, LT. Small edit needed, it was not 1970, he made his N.H.L. debut with the Habs on March 4, 1971.
Great write-up and tribute to a true hockey legend LT. Thoughts are with his family.
Worth the watch…
https://www.nhl.com/video/nhl100-ken-dryden-6337219944112
Stauff last night alluding to the possibility that Hyman doesn’t play games until November. Speculating at this point I think.
Mentioned the opportunity it would bring g for Savoie and Tomasek.
I’m starting to get more excited to see Tomasek. From accounts, big and strong and has a very good shot (Stauff).
Let’s not forget, his SHL season was not a one off – three season before leading in scoring, he led in points.
Verified accounts are also that many teams were interested in him – hence the $1.2MM cap hit (he aged out of the ELC limits).
I see him missing the first 10 games. Could having 3 hungry unknowns in Howard-Tomasek-Savoie be beneficial to getting out of the gate as opposition has no book on them.
Pehaps he misses that much time, or perhaps its 4 games or 0 games, right.
If it is 10 games (and 21 days) they can LTIR him and it would have the benefit of kicking some roster decisions down the road (and providing some higher leverage reps for some others) – they’d be able to have a 23 man roster without Hyman.
On THAT note, perhaps the allows them to carry 3 goalies to start the year – test drive a DiPietro or Daws if they are able to claim them – still think giving up assets is tough for a player they may determine they need to waive.
A month in LTIR reduces accrual but, with the stupid playoff cap, using accrued space to acquire contracts at the deadline (i.e. acquiring players they can only fit in via pro-rating what’s left) may not work depending on what their “playoff cap” would look like.
Dryden is before my time but sounds like a respected player and person – very respect. Condolences to the family and those close to him.
As a player, perhaps before your time, but he was active as a writer and advocate for hockey safety at least until recent years. I was just listening to him on a podcast about head injuries in hockey.