"John is one of, if not the greatest hockey player the State of Hockey has ever produced," said Minnesota Wild Owner Craig Leipold. "We are honored to recognize his lifetime of hard work and dedication to our great sport and the tremendous recognition he has brought to Minnesota Hockey."
Mayasich (5/22/33) was born and raised in Eveleth, Minn., and graduated from Eveleth High School in 1951. He led Eveleth to four straight undefeated seasons and state high school championships (1948-51). The forward went on to skate for four seasons at the University of Minnesota (1951-55). He was a three-time WCHA All-American and served as team captain during his senior season (1954-55). He was named to the NCAA Final All-Tournament Team in 1954 after the Gophers fell in the championship game to R.P.I. Mayasich is also the WCHA's only three-time scoring champion (1953-55). He remains the Gophers' all-time leader in goals (144) and points (298) in 111 games played. He earned All-American and All-WCHA honors four times, including All-American honors in 1953 and 1954 and first team All-WCHA honors in three straight seasons (1953-55). Following college, he was a member of two U.S. Olympic teams, earning the silver medal in 1956 and the U.S. first gold medal in 1960. He was a member of eight United States national teams, the most by any player in U.S. history. After declining professional hockey opportunities, he cemented himself as one of the best-known amateur hockey players in America and played his remaining hockey career with the Green Bay Bobcats of the United States Hockey League (USHL).
Mayasich was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1976, the National High School Hall of Fame in 1986 - the first Minnesotan to receive the honor, the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989, the "M" Club Hall of Fame in 1991 and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Hall of Fame in 1997. In 1998, Mayasich was awarded the NHL's Lester Patrick Trophy, presented annually to players, officials, coaches and executives for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. He also had No. 8 retired in his honor by the University of Minnesota, the only former Golden Gopher men's hockey player to have his jersey retired. On Dec. 10, 2020, Mayasich was named the WCHA's 1950's Player of the Decade.
Following his hockey career, he joined Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. in 1974 and served as General Manager of KS95 FM, making it one of the highest-rated FM stations in the U.S. He went on to serve as president of Hubbard's radio division in 1983 and retired in 1997. He was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2005.
The State of Hockey Legacy Award, presented by the Wild, Minnesota Hockey and FOX Sports North, recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary and long-term contributions to hockey in Minnesota. Past recipients are Doug Woog (2020), Larry Hendrickson (2019), Bob Naegele, Jr. (2018), Walter L. Bush, Jr. (2016), Bob O'Connor (2015), Lou Nanne (2014), Glen Sonmor (2012), Neal Broten (2011) and Lou Cotroneo (2010).
{Photo courtesy of University of Minnesota}
