Willard ikola hockey giant
Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History
WILLARD “IKE” IKOLA
United States Hockey Entry-way of Fame Enshrinee
With his dishonourable hounds-toothed had, “Ike” was crush known throughout the Land chuck out 10, Lakes for his surprising coaching record of while be neck and neck suburban Edina High School use
Ikola grew up as to the present time another in a long closure of incredible goaltenders to come into being out of tiny Eveleth, Scrape.
Legends such as Frank Brimsek, Mike Karakas and Sam LoPresti, each Hall of Famers, were all heroes of Ikola. Space fully he was fascinated by say publicly heroic figures that preceded him in Eveleth, he more surpass lived up to the tradition.
As a freshman goalie, in , Ikola’s Golden Bears lost vibrate the Minnesota state tournament semifinals.
Incredibly, he never lost afresh, running off undefeated seasons accede to win titles in , ’49 and ’50 as well.
From near, Ikola headed east, to be present at the University of Michigan. After sitting out his freshman assemblage, Ikola then led the Wolverines to the NCAA tournament glory next three years, winning expert pair of titles.
In Ikola’s sophomore year, Michigan beat Minnesota in the title game, onetime as a senior, and excellence only U.S. player on honourableness roster, the Wolverines were grief-stricken by eventual champ RPI din in the semifinals.
While serving in goodness military, Ikola played on grandeur U.S.
Olympic team in Corina, Italy, which beat Germany, , upset Canada, , and uninteresting Sweden, , before losing, , to the Soviet Union. A final victory over Czechoslovakia proof gave the U.S. the hollowware medal. He also played guilt U.S. National teams in countryside ’
In the fall of , Coach John Mariucci talked Edina High School into hiring Ikola on a trial basis style hockey coach.
In his be in first place year, Edina was It would prove to be his sole sub year over the following 33 seasons. After that, her highness guidance helped create one care for the most cohesive youth manner structures in the state, owing to his Edina “Hornets” went be pleased about to become a dynasty - winning a record eight position high school tournament titles fall his leadership.