Gerry Mayhew Bio
Gerald Alfano Mayhew, professionally known as Gerry Mayhew, is an American professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League (AHL). Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 166 pounds, Mayhew has carved out a respected career as a reliable goal scorer and hardworking forward. Undrafted into the National Hockey League, he has built his reputation through perseverance, offensive instincts, and a steady climb through professional hockey’s developmental ranks.
Over the course of his career, Mayhew has suited up for several organizations, including the Minnesota Wild, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers’ AHL affiliate, Charlotte Checkers, and Rockford IceHogs. He returned to the Iowa Wild for the 2025–26 season, the organization where his professional journey first began. Known for his right-handed shot and competitive drive, Mayhew has become a steady contributor at the AHL level and a player who earned opportunities at the NHL level through consistent performance.
Early Life and Background
Gerald Alfano Mayhew was born on December 31, 1992, in Wyandotte, Michigan, a working-class community located about 20 minutes outside of Detroit. He is the son of Gerald and Catherine Mayhew. Growing up so close to the Motor City, Mayhew was surrounded by hockey culture from a young age, and he frequently attended Detroit Red Wings games at the legendary Joe Louis Arena with his family.
Unlike many young hockey players in Michigan, Mayhew chose not to join the prominent Little Caesars minor hockey program. Instead, he opted to focus on his high school team, a decision that allowed him to develop at his own pace. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, where he emerged as one of the top talents in the state. During the 2010–11 season, Mayhew led Roosevelt’s ice hockey team to a Michigan High School Athletic Association state championship, scoring an impressive 48 goals and 57 assists. His outstanding play that year earned him the title of Michigan’s “Mr. Hockey,” an annual award given to the top boys’ ice hockey player in the state.
Mayhew’s favorite hockey players growing up were Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman and goal-scoring great Brett Hull, two iconic Detroit-area talents who helped shape his offensive mindset. After his high school success, Mayhew committed to Ferris State University, where he continued his development at the collegiate level.
Path to Hockey
Following his celebrated high school career, Mayhew took his talents to Ferris State University, where he played four seasons of NCAA Division I hockey with the Ferris State Bulldogs in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. His time at Ferris State allowed him to refine his offensive skills, build physical strength, and adjust to the speed and structure of college hockey.
Although Mayhew was not selected in the NHL Draft, his college experience prepared him for the rigors of professional hockey. After completing his senior season, he signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League on March 9, 2017. In his first professional stint, Mayhew posted six goals and seven points in 17 games, a strong debut that earned him a full AHL contract for the following season.
Gerry Mayhew Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Mayhew turned professional in the spring of 2017, joining the Iowa Wild in the final weeks of the 2016–17 AHL season. His transition to the professional ranks was seamless, as he produced six goals and seven points in 17 games, showcasing the scoring touch that had defined his amateur career. The Iowa Wild signed him to an AHL contract for the 2017–18 season, and he quickly established himself as a consistent offensive contributor.
In his second full AHL campaign, Mayhew elevated his game significantly, recording 60 points in 71 games. That breakout performance caught the attention of the Minnesota Wild, Iowa’s NHL affiliate, and on May 10, 2019, the parent club rewarded him with a two-year, two-way contract, signaling that his path to the NHL was close at hand.
Minnesota Wild and NHL Debut (2019–2021)
Mayhew began the 2019–20 AHL season on a tear, collecting six points in his first four games with the Iowa Wild. That early production earned him a recall to the Minnesota Wild, and on October 15, 2019, he made his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mayhew wasted no time making an impact, scoring a goal in a 4–2 loss, a memorable first shift in the world’s top league.
Over the next two seasons, Mayhew split time between the NHL and AHL as a member of the Wild organization. Although he spent the majority of his time with the Iowa Wild, his NHL opportunities allowed him to gain valuable experience at the highest level. After five total seasons with the Minnesota Wild organization, his contract expired, and he entered unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2021.
Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks (2021–2022)
On July 28, 2021, Mayhew signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $800,000 with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent. He began the 2021–22 season with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he tallied nine goals in 24 games. His strong play earned him a recall to the NHL, where he appeared in 25 games for the Flyers and set a career high with six goals at the NHL level.
On March 20, 2022, Mayhew was claimed off waivers by the Anaheim Ducks, giving him a fresh opportunity on the West Coast. He finished the season with Anaheim, adding depth and speed to their forward group during the stretch run.
Pacific Division and Return to Iowa (2022–2025)
On July 15, 2022, Mayhew signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers as a free agent. He spent the next two seasons within the Panthers organization, playing exclusively for their AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. Although he did not earn an NHL recall during his time in Florida, he remained a productive AHL scorer.
As a free agent heading into the 2024–25 season, Mayhew was late in finding a new home. On October 27, 2024, he signed a one-year AHL contract with the Rockford IceHogs, the top minor league affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Following the conclusion of that season, Mayhew signed a contract to return to the Iowa Wild for the 2025–26 campaign, rejoining the organization where his professional career first began.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mayhew is recognized as a skilled, opportunistic winger with a strong right-handed shot and a nose for the net. His ability to find open ice and capitalize on scoring chances has been a hallmark of his career, particularly at the AHL level. Coaches have valued his work ethic, hockey sense, and willingness to play in all situations, traits that have allowed him to remain a reliable contributor throughout a journeyman professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Mayhew’s career are his 2011 Michigan “Mr. Hockey” award, his NHL debut goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in October 2019, and his career-best six-goal NHL season with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2021–22. He has also posted a 60-point AHL season with the Iowa Wild, underscoring his offensive capability at the professional level.
Gerry Mayhew Career Wins
While hockey win totals for individual players are less commonly tracked than in other sports, Mayhew has accumulated notable team successes throughout his career. Most prominently, he was a key contributor to the Iowa Wild during multiple playoff-caliber seasons and helped lead Roosevelt High School to a Michigan state championship in 2011.
Iowa Wild Highlights
Mayhew enjoyed his most productive stretch with the Iowa Wild, where he posted 60 points in 71 games during the 2018–19 season, the campaign that earned him his first NHL contract. He returned to the organization for the 2025–26 season, bringing his career full circle back to the team that gave him his professional start.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the AHL, Mayhew enjoyed brief but productive NHL stints with the Minnesota Wild, Philadelphia Flyers, and Anaheim Ducks. His career-high six-goal NHL output with the Flyers in 2021–22 stands as one of his top individual achievements at hockey’s highest level.
Gerry Mayhew Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mayhew was raised in Wyandotte, Michigan, by his parents, Gerald and Catherine Mayhew. He grew up in a hockey-loving household located near Detroit, where he developed his early passion for the game while attending Detroit Red Wings games with his family.
Personal Life
Mayhew continues his professional hockey career in the American Hockey League, returning to the Iowa Wild organization where his journey first began. Public details regarding his marital status and children are not widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
For the 2025–26 season, Gerry Mayhew has signed a contract to return to the Iowa Wild, the AHL affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. The move reunites him with the organization where he first turned professional in 2017, and where he enjoyed his most productive individual AHL campaign. Iowa fans will be eager to see if Mayhew can recapture the form that once produced 60 points in a single season.
After spending time with the Charlotte Checkers and the Rockford IceHogs over the past two seasons, Mayhew brings veteran leadership and offensive upside to an Iowa Wild roster that values experienced AHL talent. His track record of producing at the minor league level, combined with his NHL experience, makes him a valuable asset for the team.
Heading into the season, Mayhew is expected to serve as a top-six winger and a key contributor on the power play. While his primary focus will be on helping the Iowa Wild compete in the AHL’s Western Conference, a strong season could potentially open the door to another NHL opportunity. Regardless, his return to Iowa marks a fitting chapter in a career defined by perseverance, loyalty, and a love for the game.