Dryden announced he would be stepping down on Monday after seven years with the club. (Getty Images/NHLI)

"Ken has been an outstanding ambassador for our organization over the last seven years and the game of hockey. He played an instrumental role on and off the ice and has left his mark in so many positive ways," said Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd. "Moving into politics is a natural fit for Ken. He has always been passionate about serving the community and being a strong role model. Leafs fans and MLSEL saw this passion through his work with the Leafs charitable arm, Go Kids Go! The Leafs Fund. So, it's fitting that he's moving to a field where he can continue to serve the community.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to thank him for his contributions and wish him much success as he embarks on a new chapter in his life."

Dryden was named president of the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club and executive vice-president of Maple Leaf Gardens, Limited on May 30, 1997 He added the additional duties of general manager that summer and re-assigned the general manager role in July 1999 to head coach Pat Quinn. In July 2003, he was named vice-chairman of MLSEL and a member of the board of directors.

During his tenure as Leafs president, Dryden was instrumental in returning the Leafs back to the Eastern Conference and his strong sense of history led to a recognized role for Leafs alumni. Dryden also made a significant contribution in generating much needed awareness for child abuse with the creation of the Martin Kruze Memorial Forum.

A graduate of Cornell University in 1969, where he was a three-time All-American, the Hamilton native and Hockey Hall of Fame member completed a law degree from McGill University.