Spider-Man NL Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=84238 Canadian Press 5/17/2004 TORONTO (CP) - Hockey Hall of Famer Ken Dryden is making the leap from the sports to the political arena. Dryden, vice-chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, confirmed Monday he is leaving the organization that owns the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and is running for the Liberals in the Toronto riding of York Centre in the federal election, which is expected to be called within days. ``I'm here today to tell you I'm not continuing on with the Toronto Maple Leafs and I am seeking to be the candidate in the next federal election,'' Dryden said at centre ice at the Air Canada Centre, home of the Leafs. Dryden, 56, played for the Montreal Canadiens between 1971 and 1979, earning six Stanley Cup rings. Leading the Habs to a Stanley Cup in his first season, the lanky netminder - who was known for his dominating six-foot-four presence - is considered one of the greatest goaltenders of all time. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983. The path for Dryden to enter politics was cleared last week when Liberal Art Eggleton, a cabinet minister under former prime minister Jean Chretien, announced he would not seek re-election. York Centre is considered a safe Liberal seat. Eggleton won it by 20,000 votes in the 2000 federal election. Prime Minister Paul Martin is widely expected to call the election within a week for a June 28 vote. Dryden went on to become a lawyer, taking a year off from the Canadiens to work with a law firm. Since leaving hockey as a player, he has written several best-selling books, including The Game, a highly acclaimed reflection on his years with the Canadiens and a study of team dynamics. He also wrote an examination of Canada's education system entitled In School. Dryden became president of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1997 and is currently vice-chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the company that owns the team. Dryden, who was born in Hamilton and grew up in Toronto, and his wife Lynda have two children, Sarah and Michael. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leafs Suck Posted May 17, 2004 Share Posted May 17, 2004 Dryden has been very successful at everything he's done in life. Being the President of TML doesn't count since we all knew he was gonna fail. Leafs loss is Canada's gain. Dryden is a very bright man who is better suited for politics than being the head of a goofy team like the Leafs. Watch for him to be "Minister Of Sport" in Martin's cabinet. [Edited on 2004/5/17 by Leafs Suck] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyhasbeen Posted May 27, 2004 Share Posted May 27, 2004 What better way to leave the nhl but having allowed the leafs to trade their future for old bums. What a sad situation faces that org. As much long term damage as ballard? time will tell. Anything you had to do with the current leaf situation Ken, job well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanman99 Posted May 28, 2004 Share Posted May 28, 2004 Dryden was one of my favorite goalies before he jumped ship to Toronto. He backstabbed the Habs. But i think he will be a good minister in whatever hes gonna do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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