Every sport has its share of figures whose affect on the sport extends effectively past their enjoying or teaching careers. Nationwide Hockey League Corridor of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden was a type of folks.
Dryden died on Saturday on the age of 78 following a battle with most cancers, abandoning one of many NHL’s most impactful legacies.
One of many NHL’s goaltending legends
Dryden didn’t have an intensive NHL profession by way of video games performed, however few gamers dominated the place — and league — the best way he did. Regardless of enjoying simply eight seasons, he was universally thought to be probably the greatest goaltenders of his period.
In 397 profession video games, Dryden gained 5 Vezina Trophies and 6 Stanley Cups, backstopping the nice Montreal Canadiens dynasty of the Nineteen Seventies. He led the NHL in save proportion 3 times and in targets towards common (GAA) and wins 4 instances.
Dryden was inducted into the Hockey Corridor of Fame as quickly as he was eligible in 1983 and had his No. 29 retired by the Canadiens.
Ken Dryden’s affect was felt lengthy after he retired
What makes Dryden’s legacy in hockey so exceptional is the affect he had and the various methods he continued to form the sport even after his retirement.
He labored as a broadcaster for the 1980, 1984 and 1988 Winter Olympics. He was additionally the colour commentator alongside Al Michaels for the US’ Miracle on Ice win over the Soviet Union.
Nonetheless, his most vital affect on the game may need been with the written phrase.
Dryden authored a number of books, together with “The Sport,” revealed in 1983, which continues to be thought to be one of the profound sports activities books ever written.
In “The Sport,” Dryden particulars the pressures of being an NHL goalie {and professional} athlete, in addition to his time on the 1979 Stanley Cup-winning Canadiens.
He dove into how successful modifications motivation, the best way the sport was performed and coached, and the way the Summit Sequence of the Nineteen Seventies compelled North American gamers to vary their model to match the Soviets.
Dryden’s guide supplied a never-before-seen look into the thoughts of an athlete, and it stands the take a look at of time a long time later.
