Mark Pavelich, a member of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team ‘Miracle on Ice’, was found dead in a treatment facility in central Minnesota.
The 63-year-old died in Eagle’s Healing Nest, where he received mental health treatment, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Pavelich was under civil bond for attacking his neighbor with a four foot metal pipe in August 2019.
Emergency police were called to Pavelich’s home at around 8:30 a.m. on Thursday after a reported death. No one had seen the ex-NHLer since 8 p.m. the day before.
The cause of death was not immediately known.
Pavelich played for the US squad at Lake Placid and collected an assist to goal from Mike Eruzione who emerged as the winner in an upset over the acclaimed Russian team. The Americans beat Finland for the gold medal.
“We are saddened to hear about the death of 1980 Olympic gold medalist Mark Pavelich,” tweeted USA Hockey. “We offer our deepest condolences to Mark’s family and friends. “Forever a part of hockey history”.
The 5-foot-7 Minnesota native went on to a seven-year NHL career that began in 1981, including stops with the Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, and San Jose Sharks.
“The New York Rangers are saddened by the death of Mark Pavelich,” the Rangers said in a statement. His determination, passion and dazzling playing skills earned him the admiration of Rangers fans during his five-year tenure in New York. Mark helped inspire a country through the integral role he played in the “Miracle on Ice” team at the 1980 Winter Olympics. We think of Mark’s loved ones at this difficult time. “