Canada lost a giant.

As a lifelong Bruins fan, Ken Dryden was always our nemesis on the ice—but even then, I admired him. What stood out to me most was that during the height of his career, he chose to step away and go back to school. That spoke volumes about the kind of person he was: thoughtful, disciplined, and driven by more than just the game.

As a public servant, he carried that same relentlessness in service to Canada. I had the privilege of working alongside him on a special parliamentary committee studying concussions in sport. His passion and determination on this subject were inspiring, and it left a lasting impression on everyone who worked with him.

I’ll always remember our lunches in the Parliamentary Restaurant—his kindness and sharing his wisdom.

My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and to all Canadians who are mourning the loss of this remarkable man.