Willard Ikola

Willard John Ikola (July 28, 1932 – January 20, 2025) was a Finnish American ice hockey player and high school boys' hockey coach. Born in Eveleth, Minnesota, a powerhouse in hockey (owning seven state high school championships, including the very first Minnesota state hockey tournament in 1945, and producing six members of US Olympic hockey teams ) he began playing hockey as a young boy, eventually going on to play in the 1956 Winter Olympics and coaching high school for over 30 years.

Background Willard Ikola was born in Eveleth, a small town in northern Minnesota that had one of the state's most respected youth hockey programs. Ikola got his start playing hockey as a boy in Eveleth. He soon took up the position of goaltender, the latest in the line of exceptional goalies produced by Eveleth that included Frank Brimsek, Mike Karakas, and Sam LoPresti.

Ikola was of Finnish descent. His brother Roy Ikola was also an ice hockey goaltender. Willard Ikola died in Edina, Minnesota on January 20, 2025, at the age of 92.

Hockey career Ikola started at goalie his freshman year at Eveleth High School. He was the losing goalie in the state semi-finals and third-place game. Ikola was undefeated the next three years, helping the Eveleth boys' hockey team win three consecutive state championships (1948–1950) in the last three years of his high school career. During his 33-year career (1958–91), Ikola's teams won 22 Lake Conference championships, 19 section titles, and eight state championships. Fifteen of his teams won more than 20 games (out of approximately 25 to 30 games per season), and he had only one losing season; his first year as a coach. During his high school coaching career, Ikola was named Minnesota high school hockey coach of the year six times.

Famous for his trademark houndstooth hat, Ikola was modest when speaking of his coaching record. "I never scored a goal or prevented one either," he said. "All the credit for our success belongs to the kids."

Although he retired from coaching in 1991, IIHF 1956 Winter Olympics best goaltender 1956

Hall of fame inductions and honors 1990 – United States Hockey Hall of Fame 1990 – The University of Michigan Hall of Honor 1992 – National High School Sports Hall of Fame 1997 – Edina Athletic Hall of Fame. 2019 – Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame