Miracle on Ice star Mark Pavelich is found dead at the age of 63 in a mental health treatment center where he was committed after ‘hitting his neighbor with a metal pipe’
- Pavelich assisted in the winning goal in the USSR area in 1980
- After the 1980 Olympics, Pavelich played in the NHL for a decade
- In 2019, Pavelich faced four crimes for hitting his neighbor with a metal pole, but turned out to be incompetent and committed to a mental institution.
- Pavelich is the second member of the ‘Miracle on Ice’ team to die
Mark Pavelich, who played a key role in the legendary ‘Miracle on Ice’ Olympic team, has died at the age of 63 after being found in a residential treatment center in Minnesota.
Prior to his death, Pavelich received mental health treatment at Eagle’s Healing Nest, where he was committed after assaulting a neighbor in August 2019.
The Star Tribune reports that Pavelich’s cause of death is not yet known, but his body has been taken to a medical examiner’s office.
He had not been seen since Wednesday night around 8 p.m. and was probably dead for several hours when police were called to the center on Thursday morning around 8:30 a.m.
Mark Pavelich, a member of the ‘Miracle on Ice’ team, died at the age of 63
Pavelich was at a treatment center in Minnesota, where he received mental health treatment
Pavelich faced four felonies after hitting his neighbor with a metal pipe, leaving James Miller with cracked ribs, a bruised kidney and a fractured vertebra, among other things.
However, a judge ruled that Pavelich was incompetent to face trial in December 2019, and was committed to a treatment facility.
This summer he was transferred to the treatment center where he eventually passed away.
He had to appear in court on Tuesday for his dedication to the treatment center.
“Our firm is devastated that we have lost our friend and legend,” said Carolyn Bruno, a lawyer who represents Pavelich in his engagement case.
Recently, Mark was filled with hope and renewal for the future. He had been doing well in the new facility since leaving St. Peter. ‘
Pavelich provided the game-winning assist in the USSR’s upset in the 1980 ‘Miracle on Ice’ game (February 1980 exhibit between US and USSR pictured)
The team would be immortalized by the 2004 movie ‘Miracle’ (‘Miracle on Ice’ game pictured)
Pavelich is best known for playing for the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, which upset the Soviet Union at one of the most famous sporting events of all time before the team beat Finland in the gold medal match.
Pavelich provided two assists in the game, including Mike Eruzione’s assist for the winning goal in the USSR’s 4-3 zone.
He was played by Chris Koch in those 2004 Olympics dramatization, ‘Miracle’.
After the 1980 Olympics, the Minnesota native entered the NHL for ten years, matching the New York Rangers, Minnesota North Stars, and San Jose Sharks.
Pavelich (right) would play in the NHL for ten years with three teams, including the New York Rangers
In 355 regular season games, Pavelich scored 137 goals and delivered 192 assists.
Troubled times followed Pavelich after ending his NHL career in 1992.
Pavelich’s second wife, Kara, died in 2012 after falling from a second-floor balcony of their home. She was 44 years old.
In 2014, Pavelich sold his 1980 Olympics gold medal for $ 262,900, claiming he wanted to provide financial security to his daughter.
It was bought by Brian Raduenz, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who attended 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 of a heart attack in 2014.