Rabbi Howard Morrison

Ken Dryden passed away over the weekend. Long before I came to Canada, I knew his name.

As an 11 year old growing in Boston, the underdog Montreal Canadians upset the defending Stanley Cup champion Bruins in the first round of the playoffs in 1971 because of a late season call up named Ken Dryden. In game 7 at Boston Garden, Dryden stopped 46 of 48 shots on goal. The Habs beat the Bruins 4-2. 

I also remember Ken Dryden the color commentor of Olympic hockey at Lake Placid in 1980. He and Al Michaels covered the games when the underdog U.S. team comprised of college players upset the Soviet Union and went on to win the gold medal.

Soon after I became rabbi at Beth Emeth in Toronto, Ken Dryden became MP of our riding. On a Shabbat visit to our shul, he smiled when I told him of my growing up in Boston and still remembering the number of saves he made in game 7 against my team. The Bruins would go on to win the Cup the following year in 1972, not having to play against Dryden and the Canadians.

The 6"4 goalie and politician will long be remembered. May he rest in peace.

Rabbi Howard Morrison