Former Rangers captain Barry Beck said the US team and hockey were “responsible” for Mark Pavelich’s death because they did not support the “Miracle on Ice” star while battling mental illness. – possibly related to head injuries suffered during his seven-year NHL career – before moving on Thursday to a mental health treatment unit in Minnesota.
Beck also targeted the NHL, which he called “cowards,” hours after officials announced Friday that his 63-year-old former teammate had been found dead.
The cause of death is under investigation.
In a 946-word Facebook post, a heartbroken Beck threw team president John Davidson, also a former teammate, for failing to return an email asking the Rangers to and shows “public (sic) support for Mark, saying only one of them former players were sick and we wish him well.”
But The Post learned that Davidson was in constant contact with former Rangers manager Glen Healy of the NHL graduate association about Pavelich. In the Facebook post, Beck credited Healy and the graduates’ association for “getting involved” with Pavelich.
“Well, JD didn’t even return my email. I think he was too [f–king] busy, ”wrote Beck, a 1979-86 Rangers defender. “She should have picked up the phone and called me. That would have been the best thing to do, as we were teammates and he would certainly have my back, wouldn’t he?
“You are on your throne now, John, but if our paths ever cross us, you better be prepared. Or maybe just turn your back on it again. ”
The Rangers, who declined to comment on Beck’s post, said in a statement Friday that they were “saddened” to learn of the passing of Pavelich, a skilled and skilled center who spent five seasons with the 1981-86 organization after played a key role in winning the stunning U.S. gold medal at the 1980 Olympics.
US and NHL hockey have sent similar statements. Both did not immediately respond to requests for comment in light of Beck’s post.
“US rangers and hockey are responsible for Marks’ death,” Beck said. “The NHL needs to grow a set of balls and take action.”
Pavelich was subjected to unit treatment as part of a civil pledge to assault his neighbor in Minnesota in August 2019. He was charged with aggravated assault but was found incompetent to stand trial because the judge found he had an illness. mental and is dangerous.
Beck wrote that Pavelich’s sister, Jean, believed that the native of Eveleth, Minnesota, was suffering from CTE, a degenerative brain disease often found in hockey and football players, which is associated with depression, memory loss and dementia and can only be diagnosed. after death.
The NHL and Commissioner Gary Bettman previously said that “the relationship between contusions and the stated clinical symptoms of CTE remains unknown,” even though several deceased players had the disease.
In 2016, the league settled a $ 18.9 million lawsuit against 302 retired players who claimed the NHL failed to protect them from head injuries or warn them of the risks of gambling. .
“Now, no NHL team will discuss the CTE or any of their players, staff or employees,” wrote Beck, 63, who once told the Washington Post that he was depressed from contusions. supported in hockey. “After the CTE trial, the NHL was simply happy that it didn’t have to discuss it. They told the teams under no circumstances that any team would discuss the CTE about shrinking the brain. Not even the stick boy.
“They are not talking about it because they are cowards. The only thing that matters to them is money. ”
After Pavelich’s arrest, Beck said he “immediately contacted Jean’s sister to see how I could help. I asked her, “Did anyone from Rangers hockey or the US contact you for support?” No one has called and no one has called yet. Who do I think these people are?
“It would be better not to send his condolences now because they missed the boat,” Beck continued. “If I do, I’ll chew them from end to end.”
“You can throw US hockey in the same boat as the Rangers,” Beck wrote. I didn’t answer to help Mark. A [f–king] American hero !! You’re a bad MF’S!
Beck said he was “deeply saddened, shocked and overwhelmed with grief” upon learning 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 sons is a difficult task. Now I have two mountains to climb, ”said Beck. “Well, I’m ready to go after Mark now.”