Mark Pavelich, the fast-moving center of the Iron Range who played in the “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey team, was found dead in a treatment center for mental illness. He was 63.
Mike Groll / AP
Officials in Anoka County, Minnesota, confirmed Friday that Pavelich died Thursday morning at the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Center, Minnesota. The cause and manner of death are not yet available.
The Minnesota Star Tribune, which first reported on the death, said police were called to his residence at 8:30 p.m. Those responding to the scene say he appears to have been dead for several hours when they arrived. He was last seen on Wednesday at 20:00.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich in 1980,” USA Hockey said in a statement. “We express our sincere condolences to Mark’s family and friends. (He is) forever a part of hockey history.”
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that Pavelich underwent in-house treatment as part of a civil commitment to assault his neighbor in Cook County, Minnesota. Pavelich thought the man was picking his beer.
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 09: Team USA American hockey player Mark Pavelich # 16 in action during the 1980 showdown against the Soviet Union on February 9, 1980 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Get
He is charged with assault, but Judge Michael Cuzzo found him incompetent to stand trial because he was mentally ill and dangerous. According to the order of the judge of December 2019, a psychologist found Pavelich suffering from errors and paranoia. Another psychologist found that he was suffering from a mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury, probably related to repeated head injuries.
Pavelich helped with Mike Eruzione’s winning goal against the strongly favored Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics. Eruzione tweeted on Saturday that Pavelich was a ‘real competitor’ and a ‘big reason for our success in Lake Placid’.
Pavelich sold his gold medal for more than $ 250,000 in 2014, two years after the woman Kara accidentally died.
Pavelich was a star at Eveleth High School and was an All-America selection at the University of Minnesota Duluth before earning a spot on the Olympic team.
The 5-foot 8, 170-pound forward spent five seasons with the New York Rangers and played briefly for the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks, finishing with 137 goals and 192 assists in 355 NHL games for the regular season. He had a five-goal game for the Rangers on 23 February 1983 in an 11-3 victory over Hartford.
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“As a kid growing up in Hibbing, I went to the arena and walked around with equipment in hand, waiting to see if I could skate with the teams that rented the ice,” the former Minnesota and NHL player said. player Pat Micheletti. tweeted. “Mark Pavelich always made me join the Eveleth guys. He taught me so much about the game.”
Pavelich’s sister, Jean Gevik, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Rangers said in a statement they were grieved by the death of Pavelich.
“His determination, passion and brilliant play ability earned him the adoration of Rangers fans during his five-year term in New York,” the team said.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER, 1981: Ron Duguay # 10, Barry Beck # 3, Mark Pavelich # 40 and head coach Herb Brooks pose for a portrait before an NHL game around December 1981 in Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios vi