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Mark Pavelich, a member of the 1980 US Olympic “Miracle on Ice” hockey team who spent most of his seven-year NHL career with the Rangers, was found dead in a treatment center in downtown Montreal. Minnesota.
The 63-year-old man died at Eagle’s Healing Nest, where he was receiving mental health treatment, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Pavelich was under civil engagement after assaulting his neighbor with a four-foot metal pipe in August 2019.
Police were called to Pavelich’s residence around 8:30 a.m. Thursday after a reported death. No one had seen Pavelich for eight o’clock the night before.
The cause of death was not immediately known.
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Pavelich played for the US team at the Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, NY, as part of the “The Coneheads” line, collecting an assist on the goal of Mike Eruzione who was the winner of a half. final upset by the much-vaunted Soviet Union team. The Americans then beat Finland for the gold medal.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of 1980 Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich,” USA Hockey tweeted. “We offer our deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends.” Forever a part of hockey history. “
The 5-foot-7 Minnesota native continued his seven-year NHL career that began in 1981 with the Rangers and his former Olympic coaches Herb Brooks and Craig Patrick. In a team with great personalities like Ron Duguay and Ron Greschner, the calm Pavelich was uncompromising and skillful.
Pavelich centered Duguay in the winger’s lone 40-goal season, which Duguay told the Post was “a big part of his job,” and also recorded 133 goals in 341 regular-season games in five seasons with the Blueshirts.
“I will always be very grateful to have had the chance to play and to have had a friend in Mark Pavelich,” said Duguay. “He was the most selfless, kind and courageous teammate. He was fearless.… Ranger fans loved him.
Mark Pavelich of the US “Miracle on Ice” team is seen during a pre-Olympic exhibition match against the Soviet Union on February 9, 1980 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Getty Images)
Pavelich’s five-goal game on February 23, 1983 is still a franchise record, now shared with Mika Zibanejad.
“The New York Rangers are saddened to learn of the passing of Mark Pavelich,” the Rangers said in a statement. “His determination, passion and talent as a dazzling game designer earned him the adoration of Rangers fans during his five years in New York. Mark helped inspire a nation through his integral role on the ‘Miracle on Ice’ team in the winter of 1980. Olympics. Our hearts go out to those close to Mark during this difficult time. “
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His NHL career also included saves with the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks.
Pavelich’s post-hockey life was a legal, personal and mental issue. His wife, Kara, died in 2012 at the age of 44 after falling from a balcony. In 2014, he sold his gold medal for $ 262,900, sharing the sale to help his adult daughter. He ran into run-ins with his neighbors and family, which ultimately led to his incarceration for the 2019 assault in which he accused a neighbor of “stealing” his beer.
In April 2020, family and friends told the Post they were hopeful Pavelich would get the help he needed.
“Mark doesn’t want to be the kid of mental health,” former Rangers teammate Barry Beck said. “But we would like him to be able to tell his story, and no one else to tell it for him.”
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