Mark Pavelich, Star on 1980 'Miracle on Ice' Hockey Team, Dies at Age 63

Adam Wells @adamwells1985Featured ColumnistMarch 5, 2021

Jack O'Callahan, left, and Mark Pavelich of the 1980 U.S. ice hockey team talk during a

Mike Groll/Associated Press

Hockey player Mark Pavelich, best known for being a member of the 1980 United States Olympic team, died at the age of 63.

Per Paul Walsh of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Pavelich was found dead Thursday at a Minnesota residential treatment center where he had been "receiving mental health treatment for the past several months."

The NHL and New York Rangers offered their condolences to Pavelich's family:

New York Rangers @NYRangers
https://t.co/gLJY8apDNQ

NHL Public Relations @PR_NHL
Statement from the @NHL on the passing of Mark Pavelich. https://t.co/0EXibOr74H

Pavelich played seven seasons in the NHL from 1981-92. He spent the first five years of his career with the Rangers, leading the team in scoring with 82 points during the 1983-84 season. The Minnesota native finished his professional career with 329 points in 355 career games.

As a member of the gold-medal-winning U.S. team at the 1980 Olympics, Pavelich recorded six assists and one goal in seven games. One of his assists set up Mike Eurzione's game-winning goal against the Soviet Union in the "Miracle on Ice."

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