Hockey legend Ken Dryden ’69 dies at 78

It is with sorrow and a heavy heart that we share the news of Ken Dryden’s (C'66) passing on September 5, 2025. Ken was an All-Star in all respects, not just on the ice. A three-time All-American and the backbone of Cornell’s 1967 national championship team, Ken went on to a Hall of Fame NHL career with the Montréal Canadiens, winning six Stanley Cups and five Vezina Trophies, before serving in Canada’s Parliament and having distinguished careers as an author, lawyer, and educator.

On November 14, 2025, Cornell honored Ken’s life and legacy when the Big Red hosted Brown at Lynah Rink. The evening included a tribute video, a special helmet decal featuring Ken’s iconic silhouette, and a ceremonial puck drop with members of his Sigma Phi Society fraternity. Members of Ken’s family, teammates, alumni, and the broader Cornell hockey community gathered to celebrate his enduring impact on Cornell and the sport.

Ken was an All-Star in every sense. May his memory be eternal.

To read more about Ken in:
Fall 2025 Epsiloner
Cornell Chronicle