Hon. Tracy Muggli: Honourable senators, I wish I had had the opportunity to know Senator Oliver. You all gave beautiful tributes.
I stand today to honour the legendary Ken Dryden. We all know Ken Dryden the goalie, but many of us also knew Ken Dryden the thoughtful, intelligent and kind human being.
About six weeks following the Humboldt Broncos bus crash, my phone rang. It was Ken Dryden. Yes, I was shocked. How did Ken Dryden get my cell number? But that’s a story for another day.
Ken would be travelling from Saskatoon to Yorkton, Saskatchewan, for a film festival, and he asked if I thought the community of Humboldt would be interested in a visit on his way through. He was so thoughtful that he did not want to be in the way of whatever the community was experiencing. Well, of course, they wanted to have a visit from the hockey great to their community, and they were over the moon.
Ken was so gracious with his time. He landed in Saskatoon and met with many of the first responders who were involved with the crash. He then went to two hospitals to visit four of the players and their families. He spent nearly four hours visiting them. He showed his true compassion, with his soft demeanour, listening and, of course, answering questions that were shyly asked about his greatest hockey moments.
He graciously left behind for the hospital rehab unit several autographed copies of his book Game Change, a book that includes the anatomy of concussions and post-concussion syndrome.
A few days before his visit, I asked Ken if he needed downtime in the evening, and he said, “Why? What’s going on?” I told him I had a charity event for a youth organization called EGADZ. He replied that he would love to go. Well, the executive director of the organization nearly had a heart attack when I told him who I would be bringing to the event. Not only did he show up and support auction items with personalized signatures, but he also gave a speech. None of us knew he was quite so involved with a number of youth organizations, including the creation of the Ken Dryden Scholarship to support youth in the Canadian child welfare system. His speech was moving and completely on point.
We left the event, and everyone was elated to have spent time with Ken Dryden. Just when we thought the evening was over, Ken requested a trip to the nearest venue that sold milkshakes, his well-known vice. I did find him some gelato.
He then went on to the community of Humboldt and went to all four schools to meet students as well as community officials. True to form, he requested to see anything related to his personal hockey hero, Glenn Hall, including where he grew up and the dedication to Glenn Hall at a local park.
For those who may not be aware, Ken also demonstrated tremendous leadership on early childhood development and advocacy for national affordable daycare during his tenure as a member of Parliament and as the Minister of Social Development.
Ken Dryden will always be remembered as a giant in hockey but, more importantly, as a giant in heart. My condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. Thank you.