Miracle on Ice star Mark Pavelich is found dead at the age of 63 at a mental health treatment center where he was committed after “hitting his neighbor with a metal pipe”
- Pavelich witnessed the game’s winning goal in the 1980 USSR upset
- After the 1980 Olympics, Pavelich continued to play in the NHL for a decade
- In 2019, Pavelich faced four crimes for beating his neighbor with a metal pole, but was found incompetent and employed in a mental center
- Pavelich is the second member of the “Miracle on Ice” team to die
Mark Pavelich, who played a key role in the legendary Olympic team “Miracle on Ice”, died at the age of 63 after being found at a residential treatment center in Minnesota.
Prior to his death, Pavelich was receiving mental health treatment at Eagle’s Healing Nest, where he was committed after assaulting a neighbor in August 2019.
Star Tribune reports that the cause of Pavelich’s death is not yet known, but that his body was taken to a coroner’s office.
He had not been seen since Wednesday night around 8pm and had probably been dead for several hours when police were called to the center around 8:30 am on Thursday.
Mark Pavelich, a member of the “Miracle on Ice” team, died at the age of 63
Pavelich was in a treatment center in Minnesota, where he was receiving mental health treatment
Pavelich faced four murders after hitting his neighbor with a metal pipe, which left James Miller with cracked ribs, bruised kidneys and fractured vertebrae, among other injuries.
However, a judge found that Pavelich is incompetent to be tried in December 2019 and was sent to a treatment facility.
This summer, he was moved to the treatment center, where he eventually died.
He was due to appear in court on Tuesday regarding his commitment to the treatment center.
“Our firm is heartbroken that we have lost our friend and legend,” said Carolyn Bruno, a lawyer representing Pavelich in his engagement case.
“Recently, Mark has been full of hope and renewal for the future. He had flourished at the new facility since leaving St. Peter’s.
Pavelich offered the game’s winning assistance to the USSR’s upset in the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” game (February 1980 US-USSR picture)
The team will be immortalized by the 2004 film “Miracle” (the game “Miracle on Ice” in the picture)
Pavelich is best known for playing for the 1980 US Olympic hockey team, which upset the Soviet Union in one of the most famous sporting events of all time, before the team defeated Finland in the gold medal game. .
Pavelich provided two assists in the game, including Mike Eruzione’s assist for the game’s winning goal in the USSR’s 4-3 upset.
He was played by Chris Koch in the 2004 dramatization of those Olympics, “Miracle.”
After the 1980 Olympics, the Minnesota native continued to play in the NHL for a decade, vying for the New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks.
Pavelich (right) will continue to play in the NHL for a decade with three teams, including the New York Rangers
In 355 regular season games, Pavelich scored 137 goals and provided 192 assists.
Pavelich went through difficult times after ending his NHL career in 1992.
Pavelich’s second wife, Kara, died in 2012 after falling from a balcony of their home. He was 44 years old.
In 2014, Pavelich sold his 1980 Olympic gold medal for $ 262,900, claiming he wanted to provide financial security for his daughter.
It was bought by Brian Raduenz, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, who participated in some of Pavelich’s high school and college games.
Pavelich is the second member of the famous “Miracle on Ice” team to die after defender Bob Suter died in 2014 of a heart attack.