Ken Dryden and members of the historic 1972 Canadian team were honored in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. (Photo: Patrick Doyle/The Canadian Press)

The news of the death of former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden has resonated not only in the sports world but also in political circles, with an outpouring of condolences for the former Liberal cabinet minister.

The Canadiens announced his death shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday. He died Friday at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer.

Prime Minister Mark Carney was quick to respond, paying tribute to the “legend of Canadian hockey, Hall of Famer, public servant and inspiration.”

Carney said Dryden inspired him to become a goaltender: “Although I never got to match his talent for leaning on the goalpost and his incredible ability to stop goals.”

In a tribute to the No. 29, who won six Stanley Cups and five Vezina Awards as the NHL’s best goaltender, he also called Dryden a “dedicated parliamentarian.”

Dryden entered federal politics in 2004, when he was elected to represent the riding of York Centre in Toronto. He was appointed Minister of Social Development in Paul Martin’s cabinet, a position he held until February 2006.

“His career after hockey has shown how important public service is. There are few Canadians who have served as much or distinguished themselves in our country as he has.”

“I grew up admiring Ken Dryden,” said Quebec Premier François Legrand.

“Writer, MP, minister, he left his mark on history and on an entire generation,” he wrote.

Quebec Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez described Dryden as “an inspiration in public life.”

“I had the honour of working alongside him in politics,” he said. “I will always remember our conversations. He was an exceptional man and deeply human.” Rodriguez had also been elected a Liberal MP in 2004.

Liberal cabinet minister Dominique LeBlanc, who served in Parliament with Dryden, recalled with great emotion the moments he spent with him in Ottawa.

“I will never forget the moments when he would stand up to speak in the House of Commons and sit at the table in front of me,” he wrote on Facebook. "His iconic reputation, imposing physical presence, powerful voice, profound thoughts and kind personality allowed him to dominate that arena as well."

Dryden was part of a great generation of Canadiens players who kept Quebecers glued to their televisions on Saturday nights "to witness the team saved by the genius of Ken Dryden, an athlete and a gentleman," said Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet.

"Now he joins Guy Lafleur to share locker room memories, but he will never be forgotten here," he added.

Conservative leader Pierre Poulivre described Dryden as "a great athlete, a dedicated parliamentarian and a proud Canadian."

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante also paid tribute to "an exceptional man whose contributions, both on and off the ice, will leave a lasting mark on our history."

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