BIRTHPLACE: Eveleth, Minn.

BORN: May 22, 1933

TEAMS/ASSOCIATIONS: University of Minnesota, U.S. Olympic/National Teams

“Mayasich, who was probably the best amateur hockey player in America at the time, added muscle and hustle to the defense…,” so said coach Jack Riley, speaking of the Eveleth-born-and-reared skater, whose addition to the 1960 U.S. Olympic Team helped bring this country its first gold medal.

A product of the Hall of Fame’s native city, Mayasich has long been regarded as one of the finest amateur hockey players ever produced in the United States. From the days when he led Eveleth High School to four straight undefeated seasons as a perennial state high school champion (1948-1951), his name was linked to hockey.

After playing for coaching legend Cliff Thompson in Eveleth, Mayasich went on to play for another Eveleth coaching legend, John Mariucci, at the University of Minnesota —both of whom are also U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame enshrinees. The silky smooth skater went on to three great years at Minnesota, being named an All American in each year (1953-55). Minnesota made it to the NCAA Tournament in 1954, only to lose an overtime heart-breaker to  R.P.I in the championship game. The Gophers lost, but Mayasich scored four goals and five assists in two tournament games, as well as being named to the all-tournament first team.

His 29-49-78 and 41-39-80 scoring logs were good enough to win WCHA scoring titles in 1954 and 1955, as well. Following college, Mayasich was a performer with eight U.S. Olympic and National teams beginning with the 1956 silver medal winner.

It is, of course, the 1960 team which is so well remembered, though. Mayasich, who had by this time been shifted to defense, played brilliantly. His slap shot at Canadian goalie Don Head was quickly converted for a goal, which proved to be the winner in the critical 2-1 victory. Declining professional hockey opportunities, Mayasich devoted his remaining hockey career to the amateur Green Bay Bobcats.

Mayasich, who owns nearly every major scoring record at both the high school level and also at the University of Minnesota, went on to become an executive with a Twin Cities radio and television station.