John Mayasich

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John E. Mayasich was born May 22, 1933, in Eveleth, Minnesota. He attended Eveleth High School and participated in a number of sports. During his high school hockey career he set many individual records and helped his team achieve additional team records that stand even today. Among those records are the 46 total points he recorded at numerous state tournament games and helping his team win four consecutive state championships from 1948-51. John was a member of the 1956 Winter Olympics team that won the silver medal and the 1960 Olympic team that won the gold medal.

Mayasich reportedly turned down a number of offers from NHL teams and participated in a number of hockey world championship tournaments (1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1966, and 1969) in addition to the 1956 and 1960 Olympics.

While attending the University of Minnesota, Mayasich set the NCAA tournament record for most points scored in a game with seven against Boston College in 1954. Mayasich won the Western Collegiate Hockey Association scoring title in 1954 and 1955 and was an All-American three years in a row at his university. [1]

Mayasich was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976.

[edit] Quotes

"For my money, John Mayasich was the best American hockey player that I've ever seen." —Jack McCartan, scout for the Vancouver Canucks [2]

"I was in the ROTC program when I was at the U, I had a two-year obligation. I played in the 1956 Olympics that was coached by (former Gophers coach John) Mariucci. I took my degree in education. And with three kids in my family and only six teams in the National Hockey League, I accepted a job at Stanley Hubbard (broadcasting). I don't regret any of it." —John Mayasich, regarding his refusal to join the NHL