Ken Dryden Dies at Age 78, HOF Goaltender Won 6 Stanley Cup Titles with Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens legend Ken Dryden has died at the age of 78.

The Canadiens announced that Dryden died on Friday after a battle with cancer. Team owner Geoff Molson issued a statement included in the announcement:

"Ken Dryden was an exceptional athlete, but he was also an exceptional man. Behind the mask he was larger than life. We mourn today not only the loss of the cornerstone of one of hockey's greatest dynasties, but also a family man, a thoughtful citizen, and a gentleman who deeply impacted our lives and communities across generations. He was one of the true legends that helped shape this Club into what it is today. Ken embodied the best of everything the Montreal Canadiens are about, and his legacy within our society transcends our sport. On behalf of the Molson family and our entire organization, I would like to extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends, and all who had the privilege to cross his path and know him on a personal level."

A third-round draft pick by the Boston Bruins in 1964, Dryden held off on starting his professional career to attend college. He played hockey at Cornell University, posting a 76-4-1 record in three seasons as a starting goalie and winning a national title in 1967.

The Bruins traded Dryden's rights to Montreal soon after he was drafted. He began his NHL career starting with the 1970-71 season, going 6-0-0 in six starts late in the year and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy to lead the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup title.

After taking over as the Canadiens' full-time starter in 1971-72, Dryden won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie. He won six Stanley Cup titles and the Vezina Trophy five times in eight seasons.

Dryden was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983 and was named one of the NHL's 100 greatest players of all-time in 2017 to commemorate the league's 100th anniversary.

The Canadiens retired Dryden's No. 29 jersey in 2007.