Sat Sep 06 04:40:00 UTC 2025: **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
**Montreal Canadiens Legend Ken Dryden Passes Away at 78**
MONTREAL – The Montreal Canadiens and the hockey world are mourning the loss of Hall-of-Fame goaltender Ken Dryden, who passed away peacefully on Friday at the age of 78 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Dryden, renowned for his exceptional athleticism, intellect, and gentlemanly nature, left an indelible mark both on and off the ice. He made his NHL debut with the Canadiens in 1970-71, winning all six of his regular-season games and then leading the team to an improbable Stanley Cup victory, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy in the process.
He won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in his first full season of 1971-72. Dryden went on to lead the Canadiens to five more Stanley Cups in the 1970s. A five-time Vezina Trophy winner, he dominated the NHL landscape throughout the decade before retiring in 1979. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, and his No. 29 was retired by the Canadiens in 2007.
“Ken embodied the best of everything the Montreal Canadiens are about, and his legacy within our society transcends our sport,” said Geoff Molson, Owner and President of the Montreal Canadiens. “He was one of the true legends that helped shape this Club into what it is today.”
Beyond his achievements in hockey, Dryden was a respected author, a former Minister of Social Development, and a recipient of the Order of Canada. He dedicated his life to improving social conditions and making a positive impact on his community.
The Dryden family has requested privacy during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre or the Concussion Legacy Foundation in Ken’s memory.
The Montreal Canadiens extend their deepest condolences to the Dryden family, friends, and loved ones. His legacy as a player, a person, and a champion will forever be remembered.
First Piper 