By Pepper Parr
September 6th, 2025
BURLINGTON, ON
Waiting.
You had to be in what was the Old Montreal Forum.
He stood there, arm over the handle of his hockey stick. Waiting.
He seemed too big to be a goalie – that thought disappeared when the puck came his way.
He was the starting goalie in Canada’s 1972 Summit Series team that defeated the Soviet Union in the decisive 6-5 victory in Game 8.
He was superb.
We lost Ken Dryden on Friday.
Few could do what he could do.
Discover more from Burlington Gazette - Local News, Politics, Community
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I met Mr Dryden at a Liberal event at a Burlington pub hosted by former MP Paddy Torsney several years ago. After his remarks Mr Dryden sat at a stool and spoke one on one with everyone who was in attendance. Given his stature this was a very thoughtful gesture, as otherwise he might have seemed somewhat intimidating. He was so very gracious with his time & made everyone feel they were important. But what a memory he had! As we chatted about my connection to the Habs through my late father, something I said had him recall my Pop’s name as he’d been impressed with my dad’s charity baseball efforts in 1960’s Etobicoke. What a classy multi talented person who will be missed. Thanks for writing about Mr Dryden. Oh, & I still have the Habs jersey he signed that evening!