John Mayasich - Immigrant Roots to Olympic Gold: Roger Dier’s compelling story of an American hockey legend

He was the “Paul Bunyan of Minnesota Hockey” and the first American to weaponize the slap shot.That “Paul Bunyan” is John Mayasich. Born in the depths of the Great Depression to Croatian immigrants, John Mayasich’s hockey career began on the roads and rinks of Eveleth, Minnesota. In a town where families survived by digging out iron ore in mines surrounding the community, John found a different path—one paved on ice.John Mayasich—Immigrant Roots to Olympic Gold is the definitive story of an American hockey giant. As an Eveleth Golden Bears hockey player, Mayasich’s high school teams won four consecutive state championships and never lost a game, going 69-0. Mayasich set state championship scoring records that remain untouched. From Eveleth he went to the University of Minnesota—his scoring records there still stand unblemished.Following his college days, Mayasich represented the United States on two Olympic teams (1956 and 1960), and six United States National Teams. His hat trick provided the difference in the United States’ 4-1 victory over Canada in the 1956 games—the U.S. had never beaten Canada before—and four years later, Mayasich anchored a quartet of defensemen in front of legendary goaltender Jack McCartan as the United States won its first gold medal in ice hockey. Mayasich led all tournament defensemen in points. Mayasich’s career is a masterclass in skill, humility and achievement of the American Dream.This meticulously researched and original biography shows John Mayasich as a titan of American hockey—not just for his scoring records, but for the way he bridged the gap between iron ore rinks of Minnesota’s Iron Range to a career that sent him to the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame and Olympic glory. The Amazon reviews say it all: From Mayasich's parents and hardscrabble childhood to his own life as a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, John Mayasich—Immigrant Roots to Olympic Gold is a remarkable journey across 20th century America. Read more