Mark Pavelich, the fast pivot of the Iron Range who played on the Olympic hockey team “Miracle on Ice”, was found dead at a mental illness treatment center. He was 63 years old.
Mike Groll / AP
Anoka County, Minnesota, authorities confirmed on Friday that Pavelich died at Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Center, Minnesota, on Thursday morning. The cause and form of death are still pending.
The Minnesota Star Tribune, which was the first to report details about the death, said the police were called to his residence at 8:30 am local time. Those responding to the scene said he appeared to have been dead for several hours when they arrived. He was last seen at 8 pm on Wednesday.
“We are sad to hear of the passing of the 1980 Olympic gold medalist, Mark Pavelich,” USA Hockey said 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 pledge to assault his neighbor in Cook County, Minnesota in August 2019, reported the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Pavelich thought the man had fortified his beer.
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 9: American hockey player Mark Pavelich # 16 from the USA team in action during the 1980 exhibition game 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 was charged with criminal assault, but Judge Michael Cuzzo concluded that he was incompetent to stand trial because he was mentally ill and dangerous. According to the judge’s order of December 2019, a psychologist discovered that Pavelich was suffering from delusions and paranoia. Another psychologist found that he suffered from a mild neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury, probably related to repeated head injuries.
Pavelich helped Mike Eruzione’s winning goal against the favored Soviet Union at the 1980 Olympics. Eruzione tweeted on Saturday that Pavelich was a “real competitor” and a “big reason for our success at Lake Placid”.
Pavelich sold his gold medal for more than $ 250,000 in 2014, two years after his wife Kara died in an accidental fall.
Pavelich starred 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 for the Minnesota North Stars and the San Jose Sharks, ending with 137 goals and 192 assists in 355 NHL regular season games. He had a five-goal game for Rangers on February 23, 1983, in an 11-3 victory over Hartford.
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“As a child growing up in Hibbing, I used to go to the arena and go out with the equipment in my hand waiting to see if I could skate with the teams that rented the ice,” former Minnesota and NHL player Pat Micheletti tweeted. “Mark Pavelich always let me join Eveleth’s guys. He taught me a lot about the game.”
Pavelich’s sister, Jean Gevik, did not immediately respond to a message.
The Rangers said in a statement they were saddened by Pavelich’s death.
“His determination, passion and dazzling playability earned him the adoration of Rangers fans during his five years in New York,” said the team.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 1981: Ron Duguay # 10, Barry Beck # 3, Mark Pavelich # 40 and trainer Herb Brooks pose for a portrait before an NHL game around December 1981 at Madison Square Garden in New York York, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios vi