Vincent Damphousse, a former captain of the Montreal Canadiens, spoke with TSN on Saturday concerning the passing of Ken Dryden. He remembered Dryden as each a hockey legend and a Canadian position mannequin. Dryden died on Friday on the age of 78 after a battle with most cancers.
Dryden helped the Canadiens win six Stanley Cups within the Seventies and earned 5 Vezina Trophies because the league’s high goaltender. Damphousse identified how a lot he completed in such a brief profession.
“Yeah, clearly, I used to be very unhappy,” Damphousse mentioned. “I imply, Ken Dryden was an amazing athlete. He was a Montreal Canadien. He’s gained six Stanley Cups in a really brief, very brief time, brief profession. He gained 5 Vezina Trophies.”
He additionally recalled Dryden’s position within the 1972 Summit Sequence, declaring how Canadians nonetheless keep in mind the win over the Soviets.
“He was the goalie for Canada once they gained towards the Russians in 1972. Who doesn’t keep in mind that? In eight video games, he is received an amazing profession, however clearly, an amazing man in addition to an amazing Canadian,” he added.
Dryden selected a unique path in comparison with many different gamers. After solely seven full seasons, he retired in 1979. He then targeted on legislation, politics and writing. Damphousse revered how Dryden stepped away from hockey throughout his prime to comply with different pursuits.
“He received concerned in writing and politics,” Damphousse mentioned. “He was a real Canadian and left his profession early to type of comply with his coronary heart and his different pursuits, which could be very uncommon at the moment.”
Scotty Bowman reminisces about Ken Dryden’s impression on the Habs
Scotty Bowman shared reminiscences of Ken Dryden after his passing. He coached Dryden throughout Montreal’s six Stanley Cup wins within the Seventies. Bowman remembered Dryden coping with again issues however nonetheless enjoying at a excessive stage.
“Yearly in January, Ken’s final 4 or 5 years, they identified him with tall man’s again,” Bowman mentioned, by way of NHL.com. ” I don’t know the medical time period.”
Bowman praised Dryden’s strategy to goaltending and the way he utilized his top.
“He was 6-foot-4 in an period when goalies have been like (6 toes tall),” Bowman mentioned. “Ken knew find out how to play the place as a result of he was huge… He wasn’t a goalie who bounced round.”
Bowman noticed Ken Dryden as constant and calm in each scenario. For Bowman, these qualities outlined Dryden’s position within the Canadiens’ dynasty.
Edited by nagpaltusharn25