University of Minnesota Athletics
John Mayasich - M Club Hall of Fame
John Mayasich
Men’s Hockey, 1952-55
HOF Class of 1991
John Mayasich is considered one of the finest amateur hockey players the United States has ever produced, and certainly Minnesota’s best. He led his Eveleth (MN) High School team to four consecutive undefeated state championship seasons from 1948 to 1951.
Mayasich took college hockey by storm, leading the Gophers to a pair of NCAA Final Fours. He tallied school records of 298 career points and 144 goals, a 1.4 goals per game average and nearly three points per game. Called a "velvety-smooth skater," he is credited as being the first college hockey player to develop a slap shot.
After military service, Mayasich starred on the 1956 silver medal U.S. Olympic hockey team at the Winter Games in Cortina, Italy, and on the gold medal squad at the 1960 Squaw Valley, CA games. He played on six other U.S. Olympic and National teams.
Opting not to play professional hockey in the then-six-team NHL, Mayasich played for and later coached the USHL's Green Bay Bobcats. He also coached the 1969 U.S. National team.
Mayasich was the first Minnesotan to be voted into the National High School Athletic Hall of Fame and, in 1976, was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth.