Sunday September 7, 2025 | NATIONAL
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Hockey player, Member of Parliament, early advocate for child care, and health advocate for sports players, Ken Dryden has died on September 5 at the age 78 following a struggle with cancer.
Few people apparently knew that he had been ill.
Born August 8, 1947 within the open-for-success baby-boom generation, Dryden’s 1970s career in hockey (instrumental in six Stanley Cup wins) was followed by a thoughtful career in politics — choosing the Liberal Party as his political home but not for narrow partisanship reasons.
Dryden studied law at McGill University in Montreal, on track to becoming a lawyer during a hockey career ‘time out’ over a contract disagreement.
In 1997, Dryden was hired as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After leaving professional NHL hockey, Dryden wrote an impactful book about the game in professional organized sport, called The Game, published in 1983.
Dryden was the Member of Parliament for York Centre from 2004 to 2011, including serving as the Minister of Social Development from 2004 to 2005 under Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin.
Commentary from Liberal politicians:
- Former prime minister Justin Trudeau posted in social media about Dryden: “His commitment to social justice, not just in theory but in practice, as exemplified by his early work on childcare, defined for many, including me, what constituted leadership through service.”
- Long-time Liberal Mélanie Joly, now Industry Minister, said in social media about Dryden: “Ken Dryden was a great Canadian, an accomplished author, a parliamentarian and a true gentleman. Thank you, Ken, for your grace, both in net and in life.”
- Canada’s Ambassador to the UN, Bob Rae, said on CBC yesterday that Dryden was a multi-talented person with integrity and character, that he was graceful and thoughtful; in Liberal caucus meetings people would wait to hear what Dryden had to say. “He was a great teammate, people liked working with him, and liked having him around,” said Rae. “He was very dedicated to everything that Canada is about.”
- “He was a devoted family man, who was passionate about ideas and always pushed for better for Canadians and athletes.” ~ Kirsty Duncan, former minister of science and sport (2015-2019).
- Prime Minister Mark Carney — someone who also played hockey and now uses frequent hockey metaphors in his politics — issued a statement on September 6 (full text):
“I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Honourable Ken Dryden last night, a Canadian hockey legend and Hall of Famer, public servant, and inspiration.
“Ken was a six-time Stanley Cup champion, five-time Vezina Trophy winner, Minister of Social Development, and dedicated parliamentarian.
“He was the reason I became a goalie, although I never mastered his ability to lean on his stick, let alone keep the puck out of the net.
“His return to university at the height of his playing career taught the importance of balance in life. His post-hockey career demonstrated the value of public service, including his early leadership and advocacy for national, affordable child care. Few Canadians have given more, or stood taller, for our country.
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my deepest condolences to Ken’s family, his teammates, his colleagues, and all Canadians who mourn the loss of a remarkable citizen.
“Ken Dryden was Big Canada. And he was Best Canada. May he rest in peace.”
Family:
Dryden and his wife Lynda had two children and four grandchildren.
His older brother, Dave, also played in the NHL and the WHA as a goalie, from 1961 to 1980.
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