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TORONTO - Ken Dryden, a former executive with the Maple Leafs and an All-Star goaltender for the Canadiens, will run in the federal election as a candidate for the ruling Liberal Party.
"Maybe I can do more inside government than outside," he told reporters at a news conference. Dryden, 56, a six-time Stanley Cup winner, quit his job as vice chairman of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.
Prime Minister Paul Martin will likely call a general election within days and hold the vote on June 28, Canadian newspapers have reported.
If elected, Dryden would become the second retired hockey star to join the Liberals in Parliament in recent years. Frank Mahovlich, who won four Stanley Cups with the Leafs in the 1960s and another two later with Montreal, was appointed to the Senate in 1998.
"Moving into politics is a natural fit for Ken - he has always been passionate about serving the community and being a strong role model," Maple Leaf Sports chairman Larry Tanenbaum said in a statement.
Dryden has a law degree from McGill University and has written several books, including The Game, chronicling his years with the Canadiens.
NIEDERMAYER TRIPLE: New Jersey defenseman Scott Niedermayer became the 14th player to win hockey's Triple Crown. Team Canada's victory last week gave him a gold medal from the World Championships to go with his Olympic gold and Stanley Cup title.