“Miracle on Ice” team star Mark Pavelich was found dead at age 63

Mark Pavelich, the fast center of the iron saw who played on the Olympic hockey team “Miracle on Ice,” was found dead at a mental illness treatment center. He was 63 years old.

Officials in Anoka County, Minnesota, confirmed Friday that Pavelich died at the Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Center, Minnesota, Thursday morning. The cause and form of death are still pending.

The Minnesota Star Tribune, which was the first to report details of the death, said police were called to his residence at 8:30 a.m. local time. Those who responded to the scene said it looked like he had died several hours when they arrived. He was last seen at eight on Wednesday.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of 1980 Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich,” He said USA Hockey in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends. (He) is forever a part of hockey history.”

Pavelich was being treated at home as part of a civil commitment to assault his neighbor in Cook County, Minnesota, in August 2019, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. Pavelich thought the man had chopped his beer.

Judge Michael Cuzzo found him incompetent to be tried because he was mentally ill and dangerous. According to the judge’s order of December 2019, a psychologist found that Pavelich was suffering from delusions and paranoia. Another psychologist found that he suffered from a mild neurocognitive disorder due to a traumatic brain injury, probably related to repeated head injuries.

Pavelich helped in Mike Eruzione’s winning goal against the much-favored Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics. Eruzione tweeted Saturday that Pavelich was a “real competitor” and a “huge reason for our success at Lake Placid.” “.

Pavelich sold his gold medal for more than $ 250,000 in 2014, two years after the death of woman Kara in an accidental fall.

Pavelich performed at Eveleth High School and was an American selection at the University of Minnesota Duluth before winning a spot on the Olympic team.

The 5-foot 8, 170-pound striker spent five seasons with the New York Rangers and played briefly with the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks, finishing with 137 goals and 192 assists in 355 regular-season NHL games. . He had a five-goal game for the Rangers on February 23, 1983, in an 11-3 victory over Hartford.

“When I was a kid growing up in Hibbing, I would go to the arena and hang out with the team in hand waiting to see if I could skate with the teams that rented the ice,” the former Minnesota and NHL player said. Pat Micheletti he tweeted. “Mark Pavelich always let me join Eveleth’s boys. He taught me a lot about the game.”

Pavelich’s sister, Jean Gevik, did not immediately respond to any messages.

The Rangers he said in a statement they were saddened by Pavelich’s death.

“His determination, passion and dazzling playing ability earned him the adoration of Rangers fans during his five-year tenure in New York,” the team said.