Author Jim Hoey and Edina hockey coaching legend Willard Ikola to speak at March 24 meeting

Author Jim Hoey and Edina High School hockey coaching legend Willard Ikola will be program speakers at the Thursday, March 24, Rotary Club of Edina meeting. They will speak about collaborating on the book, "Ike: Minnesota Hockey Icon." 

 

Hoey, a retired teacher, played hockey at Greenway High before becoming a captain at St. Mary's University in Winona. He has also written three other books (Minnesota Twins Trivia, Minnesota Vikings Trivia, and Puck Heaven, a history of the Minnesota State Boys Hockey Tournament.  

 

Willard Ikola, of course, had a legendary 33-year career here at Edina and Edina-East high schools, and led the Hornets to eight state titles and 19 tournament appearances. Ike grew up in Eveleth, Minnesota, and won three state titles as an outstanding goalie for Cliff Thompson's Golden Bears. In college, he backstopped the Michigan Wolverines to two NCAA titles. While in the U.S. Air Force, Ikola played on two U.S. National teams and was named the top goaltender in the 1956 Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.