The Honorable Ken Dryden, Minister of Minister of Social Development, is shown at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre signing his autograph on a poster that will be auctioned off at a March of Dimes Cupid’s Night Valentines Dance which will be held on February 4, 2006 at the Centennial Arena. In the photo with Mr. Dryden is Ray Bonin, Liberal MP for the Nickel Belt Riding on the far right. Sitting at the table on the far left is Gail Leroux, the person responsible for organizing the fund-raising dance. Immediately behind her is Gerty Burnett, who at the spry age of 84 will be recognized as the organ player at some of the masses at Our Lady of Peace Parish. Standing in the background, directly behind Gerty with the brown-sleeved jacket and baseball cap is Al Leroux, Gail’s husband.

   Ken Dryden will be remembered for his skills as a professional goaltender with the Montreal Canadians and more importantly as the goaltender for Team Canada in the famous 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union . He was at the opposite end of the rink when Paul Henderson scored the winning goal that shook the world back on September 28, 1972 giving Canada a 6-5 win that clinched the series.

   Dryden played in just eight seasons but won six Stanley Cups, was named to the NHL Hall of Fame in 1983 and is recognized as the 4^th best goalie of all time behind Terry Sawchuck, Jacques Plante and Glen Hall.

   Dryden’s toughest match of all may be coming up on January 23, 2006 when Canadians go to the polls to elect a new Federal Government.

·  Ken was drafted by Boston in the sixties but he decided to pursue his law degree at Cornell.

·  Dryden make his NHL debut against the Pens on Mar 17, 1971 .

·  Played in just six games during the 1971 season but he was the starter in the playoffs vs Boston .

·  The Bruins had set a NHL record for scoring 399 goals during the regular season.

·  Dryden lost the first game and was down 5-1 in the second game when the comeback started.

·  Montreal with brilliant goaltending from Dryden won the second game 7-5.

·  Montreal went on to knock out the favored Bruins and to eventually beat Chicago for the Cup.

·  Dryden won the Conn Symthe trophy for the MVP of the 1971 playoffs.

·  Ken won the 1972 Calder Trophy for outstanding rookie.

·  Sat out the 1973-74 season and worked with an Law firm in an effort to obtain a fair contract from the Habs.

·  Ken was one of the tallest goalies of his time at 6' 4".

·  Won or shared the Vezina Trophy 5 times as a Canadien.

·  Dryden was named to the NHL all-star team 5 times in his career.

·  Played just 8 seasons in the NHL.

·  Dryden retires following the 1979 Stanley Cup finals against the Rangers.

·  Finished his career with 258 wins vs 57 losses and 74 ties and a GAA of 2.24.

·  Ken never lost more than 10 games in a regular season during his career.

·  Won 6 Stanley Cups in his 8 NHL Seasons.

·  Named to the NHL Hall of Fame in June 1983.

·  Has practiced as a lawyer since leaving The Game and has written two books on the subject.

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