Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour a national hero and a personal idol.

Earlier this month, we lost the Honourable Ken Dryden.

Ken’s story is profoundly Canadian. He was born in Hamilton and grew up in Islington. The son of a builder and a kindergarten teacher.

He joined the Islington Hornets in Toronto as a goaltender at age seven. He made his NHL debut 16 years later playing for the Montréal Canadiens.

Ken was the reason I became a goalie, although I never mastered his ability to lean on his stick, let alone keep the puck out of the net.

He was a six-time Stanley Cup champion. Five-time Vezina Trophy winner. The only person – I say this with confidence – who will ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy for most valuable player in the playoffs before they’ve won the Calder Memorial Trophy for rookie of the year.

When Ken entered the NHL, he was already pursuing a law degree at McGill. His former teammates have spoken in awe of Ken’s work ethic. Bringing textbooks into the dressing room and going to lectures after practice.

Exam time and playoffs overlapped. And in the spring of 1973, a few weeks after winning his second Stanley Cup, Ken graduated from McGill.

I remember when I was eight years old and Ken was at the top of his game, and he put his hockey career on hold to study and write his bar exams. And after he was called to the bar, he won the Stanley Cup another four times.

Not many players retire from the NHL to become a lawyer, prolific writer, and public servant. But after hanging up his skates, Ken dedicated his life to public service.

That is why Ken was unique.

He had dreams bigger than himself, which he pursued with focus and determination. He had an extraordinary curiosity. And it served him well.

Some of my colleagues here today had the privilege of serving alongside Ken. As a member of Parliament, he served the people of York Centre for seven years.

His leadership and commitment to advocating for access to affordable child care paved the way for future leaders, such as the member for University—Rosedale, to finally institute the system available to families today.

Yes, Ken Dryden believed in solidarity – something we all owe to one another.

Ken Dryden challenged us to dream big and bold for our future.

As parliamentarians and as Canadians, let us work toward that future. With Ken’s values of hard work, solidarity, and ambition. With our words, and our actions.

Few Canadians have given more, or stood taller, for our country.

Ken Dryden was Big Canada. And he was Best Canada.

My deepest condolences to Ken’s wife Lynda, and their two children, Sarah and Michael. And my thanks to you for sharing your husband and father with our country.

May we pick up his torch and hold it high.

And may he rest in peace.