Dave Dryden, Sabres inaugural season goaltender, mask innovator, dies at 81

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — (*81*) Dryden, some of the first goaltenders to play for the Buffalo Sabres franchise, and brother of Hall of Fame goalie Ken Dryden, has died at age 81.

Dryden died Tuesday of headaches from continual thromboembolic pulmonary high blood pressure surgical operation, the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home in Oakville, Ontario disclosed.

“The Sabres are mourning the loss of former goaltender Dave Dryden,” the staff tweeted Thursday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Dave’s family during this difficult time.”

Playing in 120 video games over 4 seasons with the Sabres, beginning with the staff’s inaugural marketing campaign 1970-71, Dryden compiled a 43-45-20 report, striking him twelfth all-time in goaltending wins for Buffalo.

In 1971, Dryden had a memorable matchup with the Montreal Canadiens, as (*81*) and Ken become the primary brothers to play in objective for opposing groups. (*81*) wore his Sabres sweater all the way through the on-ice rite for Ken’s quantity retirement at the Belle Centre in 2007.

Dryden additionally performed for the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks ahead of shifting to Buffalo in a money transaction with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and completed his profession with the Edmonton Oilers in 1980, after 4 seasons gambling within the World Hockey Association.

Dryden is remembered for pioneering the trendy goalie mask within the mid-Seventies, aiding with the design so as to add a cage to the fiberglass helmet.

“The National Hockey League mourns the recent passing of former goaltender, equipment innovator, educator and philanthropist Dave Dryden,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned in a commentary. “Respected and preferred via all who have been fortunate sufficient to understand him, Dryden made contributions to our recreation past his 17 seasons tending objective as a professional within the NHL and WHA — together with a memorable recreation when he and brother, Ken, become the primary siblings to play objective towards every different within the NHL.

“In the mid-Seventies, he reimagined the goalie mask, designing the combo fiberglass helmet and birdcage entrance that very much larger coverage, remodeled the best way the location might be performed and stays the preferred in use as of late. After retirement, he labored with the League on refinements to apparatus, at all times excited by higher protective athletes. He additionally pursued a long post-playing profession as an basic faculty fundamental and ran the bed-providing charity Sleeping Children Around the World that his folks based.

“We send our deepest condolences to Dave’s wife, Sandra, their two children and six grandchildren and all whose lives and careers were improved by his work. And, in his name, the NHL will be making a donation to Sleeping Children Around the World (which provides bed kits to children in developing countries)”