(Born September 5, 1941) -- It’s never easy being a brother or sister to one of the all-time greats in a sport. It’s particularly difficult if you choose the same sport as he or she does.
Nevertheless, Dave Dryden should be remembered as a pretty good NHL goaltender, and not just as Ken Dryden’s brother.
Dave played junior hockey in Toronto. His first stop in Buffalo came in 1964-65, when he was a member of the Buffalo Bisons for four games. Dryden saw some playing time in the late 1960s with the Chicago Blackhawks.
When the Sabres were admitted as an expansion team in 1970, Dryden came to Buffalo. He worked his way up to regular status in his four years with the Sabres, playing 53 games in 1973-74. Dave and Ken even played against each other, becoming the first brother act to do so. Their first matchup was in 1971.
Dave jumped to the World Hockey Association in 1974, and spent a year with Chicago (he allowed Wayne Gretzky’s first professional goal) before concluding his career with Edmonton. He’s now the chairman of a charity called “Sleeping Children Around the World.”
--- Budd Bailey
tagged
History