"Mayasich, who was probably the best amateur hockey player in America at one time, added muscle and hustle to the defense…," so said Coach Jack Riley, speaking of the Eveleth born and reared skater whose late 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 Eveleth High School was the perennial Minnesota high school champion, 1948-1951, his name was linked with hockey. A member of four state championship teams, the smooth skater went on to three great years at Minnesota being named an All American in 1952-53, 1953-54, and 1954-55. Minnesota went to the NCAA Tournament in 1954 and wound up in the finals in a memorable overtime game with R.P.I. The Gophers lost, but Mayasich scored four goals and five assists in both tournament games as well as being named to the tournament first team. His 29-49-78 and 41-39-80 scoring logs were good enough to win WCHA scoring titles in 1953-54 and 1954-55l.

Following college, Mayasich was a performer with eight U.S. Olympic/National teams beginning with the 1956 silver medal winner. It is, of course, the 1960 team which is so well remembered. Mayasich, who had by this time been shifted to defense, played brilliantly. His slap shot at Canada's 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.

Hockey historian S. Kip Farrington has placed Mayasich on his All Minnesota team on defense.