'Miracle on Ice' team member Mark Pavelich dies at 63
Mark Pavelich, a member of the "Miracle on Ice" 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team and veteran of 355 NHL games, has died at 63.
"We send our condolences to his family, friends, and the countless young players who he and his 1980 Team USA teammates inspired to play our game," the league said in a statement.
The playmaker for Team USA recorded seven points in seven games at the Olympics in Lake Placid, and Pavelich assisted on Mike Eruzione's famous game-winning goal that defeated the Soviet Union in the semifinals.
Pavelich died at a residential treatment center in Minnesota, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. He was there under civil commitment after a violent assault on his neighbor in 2019.
Following the assault, Pavelich was deemed mentally ill and dangerous, and his family is convinced he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Pavelich's cause of death is unknown, and the degenerative brain disease can only be diagnosed posthumously.
In addition to starring for Team USA, Pavelich also logged five seasons with the New York Rangers, notching 133 goals and 185 assists over 341 games. He set a rookie franchise record with 76 points in 1981-82.
He also briefly played for the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks.