Goalie Dryden prepares to make a save during a 1968–9 NCAA semifinal game

A Trivia Tribute to Legendary Cornellian Ken Dryden ’69

As the world mourns the passing of the beloved hockey star, we offer 12 questions about his storied career—on and off the ice

Difficulty level: Moderate

Top: Dryden makes a save for the Big Red. (Cornell Athletics)

Published September 10, 2025


Comments

  1. Richard Leger

    My favorite goalie… Grew up watching him with my Dad for Les Canadiens… #29 and #1 in the heart department…
    Thanks for the memories Mr. Ken Dryden!

    Richard

  2. Jim Piersanti, Class of 1969

    I was a teammate of Ken on the freshman baseball team of 1965 and a fellow member in the Red Key Society. Ken Dryden remains the most impressive individual I’ve had the privilege of meeting at Cornell. He was always extrememly modest, friendly and thoughtful. His passing means that, not only have we lost a truly gifted athlete, but a remarkable human being whose accomplishments continued long after he left the goal crease. Thanks for being a friend, Ken.

  3. Jim (“Tucker”) Fredrickson, Class of 1972

    I had no idea about the hockey culture at Cornell when I arrived in the fall of ‘68.

    I was a fan of pro hockey (6 teams in NHL) and an average skilled pond hockey player. I was soon a covert to the college game. Watching Dryden play made that easy.

    As a Lynah season ticket holder and then a rink rat, I spent a lot of time at Lynah over 4 years – watching the Big Red play, as a referee for the great intramural hockey program (often skating with one of the teams that enter the ice after the last intramural game), and member of the Fraternity division championship teams fielded by SAE.

    My last game as a participant, probably ever, was a few years ago in a beer league near Boston at age 72. I always told stories in the locker room about the big guy…leaning on his stick, old school leather pads….OMG!!

    If you’re in Cambridge when we play Harvard or at as many Big Red hockey and lacrosse games as I can get to, look me up and we’ll share a toast to one big hero in my life.

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