"[Losing numerous players to NHL teams] might have proven a major problem, because goalie Dave Dryden may have been the World Hockey Association's most valuable player last season, but is also 38 years old. And like his now-retired brother Ken, Dave Dryden's strength is making the first stop while depending on the defense to clear the rebound." (The Hockey News [1979-]1980 Yearbook, p. 48)

• Loaned (by OHA Toronto Marlboros) to New York Rangers to replace injured Gump Worsley in second period of NHL game, February 3, 1962.
• Signed as free agent with Chicago Black Hawks, March 12, 1965.
• Suspended by Black Hawks after refusing assignment to minor leagues, October 1969.
• Sold by Black Hawks to Pittsburgh Penguins, June 10, 1970.
• Sold by Penguins to Buffalo Sabres, October 9, 1970.
• Selected by New England Whalers in 1972 World Hockey Association General Player Draft, February 12, 1972.
• WHA rights traded by Whalers to Chicago Cougars for future considerations, June 1974.
• Claimed from Cougars by Edmonton Oilers in 1975 World Hockey Association Dispersal Draft, June 1975.
• Suspended by Whalers for refusing to report to club, January 1977.
• Traded by Oilers (with Jack Carlson, Steve Carlson, Dave Keon and John McKenzie) to New England Whalers for Dan Arndt, cash, and future considerations (Dave Debol, June 1977), January 1977.
• Traded by Whalers (with Brett Callighen) to Edmonton Oilers for Jean-Louis Levasseur, September 1977.
• Claimed as a priority selection by Edmonton Oilers, June 9, 1979.
• Reclaimed from Oilers by Buffalo Sabres prior to Expansion Draft, June 9, 1979.
• Announced retirement from professional hockey, December 22, 1979.

• Winner, Nat Turofsky Trophy, 1963-64.
• Named to Ontario Hockey League All-Star Second Team, 1966-67.
• Played in National Hockey League All-Star Game, 1974.
• Winner, Ben Hatskin Trophy, 1978-79.
• Named to World Hockey Association All-Star First Team, 1978-79.
• Winner, Gary Davidson Trophy, 1978-79.

• Dave made his National Hockey League debut on February 3, 1962. While a goaltender with the junior Toronto team, Dryden was in attendance at the Toronto Maple Leafs' game against the New York Rangers. As National Hockey League teams did not dress backup goaltenders at the time, the Rangers were in a bit of a bind after starter Gump Worsley was forced from the game after twenty minutes. Dryden was summoned from the stands and performed admirably, allowing three goals in forty minutes.

• Missed part of season with pneumonia, 1964-65.
• Missed part of season with pinched nerve in back, 1973-74.

• Left game to adjust contact lens, January 12, 1974. Rocky Farr played for the Sabres between 28:10 and 28:33 of the Sabres' 5-2 loss in Pittsburgh, facing no shots.

• Dave is the brother of goaltender Ken Dryden.
• Dryden's substitute appearance for the New York Rangers on February 3, 1962 caused him to be considered a professional goaltender, meaning that he could no longer receive a collegiate athletic scholarship. Therefore, he attended the University of Waterloo while playing for the Galt Terriers of the Ontario Hockey Association senior league.
• On February 15, 1969, Dave stopped forty-eight Philadelphia Flyer shots in a 3-0 shutout victory for the Chicago Black Hawks.
• On March 20, 1971, Dave and his brother Ken became the first brothers to face one another as NHL opposing goaltenders. The meeting happened a bit by accident - Dave's coach, Buffalo's Punch Imlach, wanted the matchup, thinking that the elder Dryden would have an advantage against a rookie with two NHL games to his name, and Imlach started Dave. However, Montreal's Al MacNeil started the veteran Rogie Vachon, and so Imlach replaced Dave with Joe Daley at the first stop in play (1:31). However, Vachon was injured at 33:07, forcing Ken into the game, and Imlach replaced Daley with Dave. Ultimately, Ken's Canadiens defeated Dave's Sabres, 5-2.
• During the Sabres' 5-1 loss to Los Angeles on February 6, 1974, Dave fought Kings forward Dan Maloney at 8:25 of the second period. Dryden and Maloney each earned a two-minute penalty for their efforts.
• In 1974-75, Dave purchased (along with teammates Pat Stapleton and Ralph Backstrom, and attorney Jeff Rosen), the Chicago Cougars (WHA) franchise for whom they played.