Leonard Lilyholm

Leonard Paul Lilyholm (April 1, 1941 – December 28, 2024) was an American professional ice hockey player who played 77 regular season games in the World Hockey Association for the Minnesota Fighting Saints in 1972 and 1973.

Leonard Lilyholm
Born	(1941-04-01)April 1, 1941 Robbinsdale, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	December 28, 2024(2024-12-28) (aged 83) Worth County, Iowa, U.S.
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	163 lb (74 kg; 11 st 9 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Minnesota Fighting Saints
National team	United States
Playing career	1966–1974

Early life

Lilyholm was born in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.^[1] Lilyholm graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1966 and played on the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team. As an amateur, he frequently played for the United States men's national ice hockey team.

Career

Lilyholm was a member of Team USA at the 1968 Winter Olympics and the 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, and 1974 Ice Hockey World Championships.

Outside hockey, Len Lilyholm was an architect and builder who participated in the design of the St. Paul Civic Center, the Saints' new home arena which was completed in January 1973. He appeared as a hockey coach in Ice Castles, a 1978 romantic drama film.^[2][3]

Death

Lilyholm died at the age of 83 in a head-on traffic collision along with his wife, Carol, on Interstate 35 in Worth County, Iowa on December 28, 2024. Lilyholm, the driver, crossed over the median and drove southbound in the northbound lanes before hitting another car head-on. The driver of the other vehicle was also killed. Everyone involved in the crash, including Lilyholm and his wife, were wearing their seatbelts. ^[4][5]