The Czech ice hockey federation said today that Holik, the father of NHL player Bobby Holik, died after battling an unspecified, long-term illness.
Holik scored 57 goals for Czechoslovakia in his 142 international games and led his country to the bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics in Sapporo. The Czechs also won six world championship medals, including gold in 1972.
After retirement, he became a successful coach, leading the Czech under-20 team to two straight world junior hockey titles in 2000-01.