Alumni Legendary Ice Hockey Goalie Ken Dryden ’69 Dies at 78 Stories You May Like With a ‘Last Lecture,’ Hockey Coach Offers Words of Wisdom After Three Decades, Big Red Men’s Ice Hockey Passes the Torch Fascinating Facts About Lynah Rink, Big Red Hockey’s Chilly Abode A star for both the Big Red and Montréal Canadiens, he went on to a career as an author, lawyer, politician, TV commentator, and more Editor’s note: This story was adapted from an obituary in the Cornell Chronicle. Our other coverage includes a tribute by the co-author of the Big Red hockey history Forever Faithful and a quiz celebrating Dryden and his many accomplishments. By Tom Fleischman & Marshall Haim Ken Dryden ’69, the legendary Cornell men’s hockey goaltender who still holds the program record for career wins (76) and backstopped the Big Red to its first national championship in 1967, died of cancer on September 5. He was 78. “Ken Dryden was not only one of the greatest goaltenders in the history of hockey, but also a symbol of excellence, intellect, and leadership who represented Cornell with unmatched distinction,” says Nicki Moore, Cornell’s Meakem Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education. “His impact on the game, on our university, and in communities throughout his homeland in Canada will endure far beyond the ice.” Making a save for the Big Red ... ... and for the Montréal Canadiens. Dryden’s interests and accomplishments were wide-ranging—beyond his storied hockey career, he found success as an author, lawyer, politician, sports executive, and television commentator. At Cornell, the 6-foot-4-inch Dryden compiled a record of 76 wins, four losses, and one tie, with a 1.59 goals-against average and .939 save percentage. He led the Big Red to the first three of its four consecutive ECAC Hockey Tournament titles (1967–69), two ECAC regular-season championships (1968, ’69), and the 1967 NCAA title. Dryden (far right) with fellow members of the 1966–67 NCAA all-tournament team. His career goals-against average and save percentage still rank second in program history. “Ken Dryden was the quintessential student-athlete,” says Casey Jones ’90, the Jay R. Bloom ’77 Head Coach of Cornell Men’s Ice Hockey. “He was a great ambassador for Cornell and hockey in general.” His impact on the game, on our university, and in communities throughout his homeland in Canada will endure far beyond the ice. Athletics Director Nicki Moore After graduating from Arts & Sciences with a bachelor’s degree in history, Dryden launched an extraordinary eight-year National Hockey League career with the Montréal Canadiens. He won six Stanley Cups, five Vezina Trophies (recognizing the NHL’s most outstanding goaltender), the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1971 as the Stanley Cup playoffs’ most valuable player, and the Calder Trophy in 1972 as the league’s Rookie of the Year. With his six Stanley Cups. In 1973, Dryden earned the first of his five Vezina Trophies after leading the league in wins (33), goals-against average (2.26), and save percentage (.926). He is one of only four goaltenders in NHL history to win the award at least five times. Dryden stepped away from hockey in a contract dispute for the 1973–74 season, briefly retiring while earning a law degree from McGill University and working at a Toronto law firm, before returning to the Canadiens in 1974. Over the next five seasons, he anchored one of the NHL’s most dominant dynasties, guiding the Canadiens to four straight Stanley Cups (1976–79) and capturing the Vezina Trophy each year. Stories You May Like With a ‘Last Lecture,’ Hockey Coach Offers Words of Wisdom After Three Decades, Big Red Men’s Ice Hockey Passes the Torch During that stretch, he posted a record of 150 wins, 33 losses, and 30 ties, with a 2.13 goals-against average, .920 save percentage, and 28 shutouts. Dryden was inducted into the Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, both in his first year of eligibility. His sweater number (29) was retired by the Canadiens in 2007; his number 1 was retired by Cornell in 2010, alongside the 25 of fellow Hockey Hall of Famer Joe Nieuwendyk ’88. Ken Dryden was the quintessential student-athlete. He was a great ambassador for Cornell and hockey in general. Big Red men's ice hockey Head Coach Casey Jones ’90 Dryden represented Canada several times in international competition, including in the 1972 Summit Series in which Team Canada defeated the Soviet Union. Following his official retirement from the NHL in 1979, Dryden wrote half a dozen books, including The Game, which detailed life as a professional hockey player and is widely considered the best hockey book ever written. His retired sweater, number 1, hangs in the Lynah rafters. His other books covered everything from hockey to the Canadian education system; he also taught a class at McGill and had successful stints as a broadcaster, hockey executive, and politician. Dryden was a TV color commentator at the 1980, ’84, and ’88 Winter Olympics, and worked with Al Michaels for ABC’s coverage of the “Miracle on Ice” game between the U.S. and the Soviet Union in 1980 in Lake Placid, NY. Dryden was inducted into the Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978 and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983, both in his first year of eligibility. Dryden served as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1997 to 2003, when he resigned to enter politics. He was a success in that arena, as well, winning the 2004 federal election for Canada’s House of Commons, and was named to the Cabinet as minister of social development. He was re-elected in 2006 and was a member of the House of Commons until 2011. Dryden is survived by his wife, Lynda Curran Dryden ’69, children Sarah and Michael, and two grandchildren. (All photos courtesy of Cornell Athletics.) Published September 8, 2025 Comments Charles Roby, Class of 1967 9 Sep, 2025 I remember Ken so very well from my years at Cornell. I was a fanatical member of the Lynah Faithful, sleeping overnight outside of Teagle Hall to get the best possible season tickets, etc. With Ken, we just couldn’t lose. He was spectacular. I remember sharing a British History class taught by Professor Frederick Marcham with Ken. I’m pretty sure he got a better grade than I did. And the 1967 NCAA finals in Syracuse were awesome. As I recall, each of our opponents, North Dakota and BU were held to one goal each. It’s been a pleasure watching his post hockey careers and reading The Game. He was one of a kind. We can all be proud Cornellians as we say goodby to Ken. RIP. Reply Stephen H Goldberger, Class of 1969 14 Sep, 2025 If I remember correctly,the game against North Dakota was 0-0 until late in the game, when one of our players came out of the penalty box, was shot the puck from our end, and shot the winning goal past the ND goalie. I don’t think Ken allowed any goals past him in that game. The ND players were excellent skaters and puck handlers, but they couldn’t get it past Ken. Interestingly, 25 years later, I was a resident of Grand Forks, ND and a fan of the Fighting Sioux hockey team, which still has great skaters and puck handlers. My son took up hockey when we lived there and became a competent skater at the ripe old age of 12. Reply Steven Hochhauser, Class of 1968 14 Sep, 2025 I was sitting behind the ND goal in that game when Walt Stanowski came out of the penalty box and scored the only goal in a 1-0 game. I believe it was the first ever shutout in the history of the NCAA championship series. Reply Charles Roby, Class of 1967 14 Sep, 2025 Your memory is better than mine. Cornell did indeed beat North Dakota 1-0. In the two games in the final four, Ken saved 71 of 72 shots! Reply Bruce Wilson, Class of 1971 14 Sep, 2025 RIP Great Ken! You had such a wonderful career in college and the NHL. You will be missed and remembered forever! Reply Alexandra (Sandy) Shecket Korros, Class of 1966 14 Sep, 2025 I recall that he was,called “the big kid” his freshman year (my senior year. I remember how exciting the games were at the ECAC tournaments at Madison Square Garden which became almost like Cornell reunions in NYC. it was so exciting to attend those games. May his memory be for a blessing. Dryden symbolized the best of Ivy League athletics. Reply Joel Negrin, Class of 1968 14 Sep, 2025 Among many great highlights of my 4 years at Cornell, Ken Dryden was among the tops on the ice, where he was a towering figure. I note that he was also a gentleman in class and on the touch football Fraternity Intramural field. Reply John Galinato, Class of 1966 15 Sep, 2025 Hey Ken… Thank you for making us dream, and think, and laugh. Long live your incredible trail! Reply Diana Christopulos, Class of 1970 15 Sep, 2025 I had never seen live hockey before arriving at Cornell in 1966. What an introduction! And what a goalie. He was also a brilliant student, and I sat behind him in one class (we were both history majors), which really made me appreciate his broad shoulders. He was a positive contributor everywhere he went. RIP. Reply Gerry Langeler, Class of 1972 21 Sep, 2025 There was a story I heard my Freshman year (1968) from some Freshman hockey players on my dorm floor. They said Ken had a standing bet that no one could come to the door of his room, if he was at his desk, and throw anything and hit the back wall. They said no one had ever collected! Then there was the famous game in Boston Garden when Phil Esposito got the puck in the slot in front of Ken, shot and Ken made the save with his pads, but it rebounded right to Phil. Esposito shot again, and and again Ken made the save, this time with his blocker. But the rebound went to Esposito. He shot again and Ken made a glove save. Esposito proceeded to go over to the boards and pound his stick against the glass in frustration. Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. 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