Former Gophers and Olympic hockey player Len Lilyholm was one of three people who died Saturday in a head-on collision on Interstate 35 in northern Iowa.
Former Olympian and Gophers hockey player Len Lilyholm among three killed in car crash
Len Lilyholm, his wife, and the driver of the other vehicle all died in a head-on collision in northern Iowa.
The Minnesota Star Tribune
December 30, 2024 at 11:29PM
Lilyholm, of Palm Beach, Fla., was 83.
According to the Des Moines Register, the crash happened about 8:55 a.m. near the Manly/Forest City exit in Worth County, when a car driven by Lilyholm crossed the median and traveled southbound in the northbound lane.
His car hit a vehicle driven by Bradley Vonnahme, 41, of Coon Rapids, Iowa. Lilyholm’s wife, Carol, 82, and Vonnahme also died in the crash. Three others, including a 6-year-old, were injured and taken to a nearby hospital.
Before joining the Gophers program in 1959, Lilyholm played for Robbinsdale High School. He scored four goals in a state tournament game in 1959.
During his three seasons with the Gophers, he played on the “Buzzsaw Line” with Dave Brooks and Gary Schmalzbauer.
After graduation, he played four seasons with the U.S. National Team and was a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic team, which finished sixth at the Grenoble, France, games.
He spent four seasons for the Rochester Mustangs of the USHL before playing for the Minnesota Fighting Saints for one season.
Before his hockey career ended, Lilyholm began working for an architectural firm. Lilyholm helped in the design of the St. Paul Civic Center, which opened in 1973.
Danny Nelson scored the eventual game-winner in the third period and Trey Augustine made 38 saves, leading the United States to a 4-1 win over Canada on Tuesday night and into the top spot in Group A at the world junior hockey championship.
