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Mark Pavelich, Dead at 63


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Olympic "Miracle" hockey star Mark Pavelich was found dead Thursday in a central Minnesota residential treatment center, sources close to Minnesota sports legend said Thursday.

 

Pavelich, who turned 63 a week ago, died at Eagle's Healing Nest, where he was receiving mental health treatment for the past several months, the sources told the Star Tribune. At the time of his death he was under civil commitment for a violent assault on a North Shore neighbor nearly 1? years ago,

 

Police said they were called to the residence about 8:30 a.m. Thursday on a report of a death. Emergency dispatch audio disclosed that Pavelich had not been seen since 8 p.m. Wednesday, and responding personnel said he appeared to have been dead for several hours.

 

Link: https://www.startribune.com/miracle-hockey-star-mark-pavelich-found-dead-in-treatment-facility/600030809/

 

What a sad way to go. RIP

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https://nypost.com/2021/03/06/barry-beck-blasts-rangers-john-davidson-after-mark-pavelich-death/

Former Rangers captain Barry Beck said the team and USA hockey were “accountable” for the death of Mark Pavelich because they did not support the “Miracle on Ice” star as he battled mental illness — possibly related to head injuries suffered during a seven-year NHL career — prior to his passing Thursday at a mental health treatment facility in Minnesota.

 

Beck also took aim at the NHL, which he called “cowards,” hours after officials announced Friday that his 63-year-old former teammate was found dead.

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I was involved in the lawsuit, and the NHL's historical behavior on this issue was execrable.

 

That said, for legal reasons, Davidson is not at liberty to comment freely on the Pavelich situation of CTE in general.

 

As for Barry's headaches, he played the bulk of his career without a helmet, even though it was during a time when most players were wearing them and there was no longer a stigma among players for wearing them.

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From Mark's sister:

 

 

This is an unbearable time for my family. The news is absolutely devastating. The last flicker of Mark’s candle went out. Way too much trauma and way too much hurt. A life cut short.

Mark actually died years ago when he lost his beloved Kara. Now they’re together again. Soul- mates forever.

 

Mark was facing a possible prison sentence and financial ruin. Everything he worked so hard for his entire life...gone. I’m sure he read the hurtful rumors, too. A killer? Are you kidding?! Kara and Mark loved each other. Those of us who spent time with them knew. The summer before she died, they were out on the lake often...he fished while she painted. It was beautiful to see them together.

Did you know that there was never a sawed-off shotgun? Never a booby trap attached to his house? More rumors.

 

Mark’s brain was sent for analysis. Going with statistics, I have no doubt it will be riddled with disease. Mark loved the NHL and the Olympics and didn’t blame them for his problems. He was unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to play in the big league...especially in lieu of his size. Before he died, he made a donation to The Eagle’s Healing Nest and to The Ranch - Teammates for Life. He wanted to help others who are going through this hell.

 

The frustration and anger are for the way our society treats mental illness. The prosecutor and some people in the community were hell-bent on making an example of Mark. Why would you persecute a mentally ill man and push him to the point of hopelessness? These are people who haven’t talked to him or reached out in 2 years. They didn’t see the fruit of his labor...didn’t see the huge improvement in him...didn’t care. I discovered that some people just don’t give second chances. They are the ones who killed my brother.

 

In spite of those few, Mark was fortunate to have so many people in his life who truly cared. Barry and Clint and our Ranch Teammates, the NHL Alumni Association, Melony Butler, his Olympic family, a fantastic legal team and a fair-minded judge. They all saved him from living his last days in a state psychiatric hospital. Instead, he had the chance to play his guitar around a campfire with new friends, fish the local lake, and bask in the loving care of The Eagle’s Healing Nest. I thank God for people like them and all of you who believe in second chances.

 

Rest in peace, Mark. I loved you so much and I miss you already.

 

https://www.facebook.com/jean.pavelich/posts/3730175383756480

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New FB post form Beck indicates he spoke to Davidson, and while he didn't back down from his main points about the NHL, they both agreed this is more a time to mourn and take stock of what could have been done differently. Perhaps this could be the start of a sea change in treating retired players with possible CTE issues. I understand the NHL thinks discussing this undermines their legal positions, but they way the NHL (and NFL, which given their gobs of money is arguably worse than any sports league) treat retired players needs to improve a great deal. https://www.facebook.com/barry.beck.7355
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There were a couple different small sparkplug-like guys on the Rangers during that period. Fan favorites that gave better than they got. Pavelich was one. Eddie Johnstone was the other. They blend together in my head, but Pavelich was always good for generating excitement, injecting energy to team play and never backing down despite his size. His is a very sad story.

 

Fair winds.

 

Sent from my SM-G970U using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk

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There were a couple different small sparkplug-like guys on the Rangers during that period. Fan favorites that gave better than they got. Pavelich was one. Eddie Johnstone was the other. They blend together in my head, but Pavelich was always good for generating excitement, injecting energy to team play and never backing down despite his size. His is a very sad story.

 

Fair winds.

 

Sent from my SM-G970U using Blueshirts Brotherhood mobile app powered by Tapatalk

 

The old "Smurf" line, I think RG.

 

They had Robbie McClanahan, Pavlich, Robbie Ftorek (with that crazy ass helmet!), Mike Rogers, and one of my faves, Reijo!!! :thumbs:

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