[ad_1]
Former Rangers captain Barry Beck said the team and American hockey were “responsible” for the death of Mark Pavelich because they did not support the “Miracle on Ice” star as he fought against mental illness – possibly related to head injuries sustained for seven years. Career in the NHL – before his death Thursday at a mental health treatment facility in Minnesota.
Beck also targeted the NHL, which he described as “cowardly,” hours after officials announced Friday that his 63-year-old former teammate was found dead.
The cause of death is under investigation.
In a mind-boggling 946-word Facebook post, Beck lambasted team president John Davidson, also a former teammate, for failing to return an email asking the Rangers to “publicly show (sic) their support for Mark in just saying one of their own. former players were sick and we wish him luck.
But The Post learned that Davidson had been in constant contact with former NHL Alumni Association Rangers goaltender Glen Healy over Pavelich. In the Facebook post, Beck credited Healy and the alumni association for “getting involved” with Pavelich.
“Well, JD didn’t even resend my email. I guess he was too [f–king] busy, “wrote Beck, a Rangers defenseman from 1979-86.” He should have picked up the phone and called me. Would have been the right thing to do as we were teammates and he would definitely support me?
“You are on your throne now John, but if our paths ever cross you, you better be prepared. Or maybe just turn your back again.
The Rangers, who declined to comment on Beck’s post, said in a statement Friday they were “saddened” to learn of the passing of Pavelich, a seasoned and seasoned center who spent five seasons with the 1981 organization. to 1986 after playing. a key role in the United States’ stunning gold medal at the 1980 Olympics.
American hockey and the NHL sent similar statements. The two did not immediately respond to requests for comment in light of Beck’s post.
“Rangers and American hockey are responsible for the death of Marks,” Beck said. “The NHL needs to develop a ball game and take action.”
Pavelich was undergoing treatment at the facility as part of a civil recognizance for assaulting his neighbor in Minnesota in August 2019. He was charged with criminal assault, but was found incompetent to stand trial because he was tried by the judge mentally ill and dangerous.
Beck wrote that Pavelich’s sister Jean believed the Eveleth, Minnesota native suffered from CTE, a degenerative brain disease often found in hockey and football players that is associated with depression, loss of memory and dementia and cannot be diagnosed until after death.
The NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman have previously said that “the relationship between concussions and the alleged clinical symptoms of CTE remains unknown,” even though several other players who died had been diagnosed with the disease.
In 2016, the league settled an $ 18.9 million lawsuit with 302 retired players who claimed the NHL failed to protect them from head injuries or warn them of gambling risks. .
“Now, no NHL team will discuss CTE or any of its players, employees or employees,” wrote Beck, 63, who once told the Washington Post that he suffered from depression as a result. concussions suffered in hockey. “After the CTE trial, the NHL was just happy not to have to discuss it anymore. They told the teams in no way that any team would discuss brain shrinkage at CTE. Not even the stick boy.
“They don’t discuss it because their cowards. The only thing that matters to them is money.
After Pavelich’s arrest, Beck said he “immediately contacted his sister Jean to see how I could help him. I asked him “has anyone from the Rangers or from American hockey contacted you again to offer their support?” No one called and to this day no one has called. Who do these people think they are for?
“They better not send their condolences now because they missed the boat,” Beck continued. “If they do, I’ll chew them all over.”
“In American hockey, you can throw them in the same boat as the Rangers,” Beck wrote. I wouldn’t answer to help Mark. A [f–king] American hero !! You stupid MF!
Beck said he was “deeply saddened, shocked and overwhelmed with grief” upon hearing of Pavelich’s death.
He said the two spoke recently, adding that Pavelich was there for him after Beck’s son Brock was killed in July in Hamilton, Canada.
“Climbing a big mountain to overcome the death of my son is a difficult task. Now I have two mountains to climb, ”said Beck. “Well, I’m ready to climb for Mark now.”
[ad_2]
Source link