FILE — Former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Ken Dryden waves to the crowd at the Bell Centre as his number is retired during a pre-game ceremony, on Jan. 29, 2007 in Montreal. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP, File) AP

MONTREAL — Ken Dryden, the Hall of Fame goaltender who helped the Montreal Canadiens win six Stanley Cup titles in the 1970s, has died after a fight with cancer. He was 78.

The Canadiens announced his death early Saturday, saying Dryden's family asked for privacy. A team spokesperson said a close friend of Dryden's appointed by the family contacted the organization, adding he died peacefully Friday at his home.

“Ken Dryden was an exceptional athlete, but he was also an exceptional man,” Canadiens owner Geoff Molson said. “Behind the mask he was larger than life. W

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