Chart: More moments with John Mayasich

First pair of skates

Hand-me-downs from Eveleth standout Frank Prebonich that were too large, so Mayasich stuffed crumpled paper in the toes. They had so little remaining blade that they couldn't be sharpened. He wore other hand-me-downs until getting his first new pair in college.

Four more sports

In high school he also lettered in football and baseball, went to the tennis state tournament as a sophomore and took fourth in the high jump at the track and field state meet as a senior.

Biggest sports disappointment

When his Gophers fell 5-4 in overtime of the 1954 NCAA championship game to RPI.

Biggest surprise

Edina connection

In the late 1950s, Edina contacted Mayasich about coaching the boys' hockey team. He declined but recommended former Eveleth teammate Willard Ikola, who later led the Hornets to eight state tournament titles.

Giving back

Mike Newman, a 1973 Eveleth graduate who played hockey and wore the No. 8 Mayasich made famous, said Mayasich helps raise the $35,000 needed to fund the city's Fourth of July celebration. He also donated $50,000 to create the John and Carol Mayasich and Family Fund in late 2012 to bolster vibrancy and vitality throughout the Eveleth area.

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