Legendary goaltender Vladislav Tretiak pays tribute to Ken Dryden

Hall of Fame goaltender and all around legendary human Ken Dryden passed away this past weekend at age 78 following a brief battle with cancer.

The hockey world has simultaneously mourned Dryden's passing, while also celebrating his life the past few days with an outpouring of stories coming from NHL alumni. One of Dryden's biggest competitors, ironically though, never played a single game in the NHL. I'm talking, of course, about Soviet Red Army goaltender Vladislav Tretiak. Dryden and Tretiak volleyed back and forth for the title of 'best goalie in the world' for the majority of the 1970s and the pair clearly shared a mutual appreciation for each other.

Tretiak shared some kind words on Dryden this past weekend, paying tribute to the main that he battled with both on the ice and in the hearts and minds of young goaltenders everywhere.

"Dryden was a real intellectual with a high perception of the whole life around him. That's what made him so good on ice - he could read the game like no other. Ken knew what was was going on with the puck and could always anticipate where the next shot is gonna come." - Vladislav Tretiak

Amen!