News from the Hartford Wolf Pack and other odds and ends

Pavelich arrested

Mark Pavelich, member of the “Miracle on Ice” gold medal Olympics team and a New York Ranger for five years, was arrested in his hometown of Lutsen, Minnesota, accused of assaulting a neighbor.  It’s a strange story, with Pavelich claiming that his neighbor “spiked his beer” after they returned from a fishing trip.  The 61-year old Pavelich allegedly beat his neighbor with a metal pole, breaking the man’s leg, several ribs and fracturing a vertebra.

Pavelich was a creative forward, recuited by his Olympic coach, Herb Brooks. He still holds the Rangers team record for points by a rookie with 76 and at the time he set records for rookie  assists and points.  In 1983 he scored five goals in one game, tying Don Murdoch’s team record.

He quit the team in the 1985-86 season in a dispute with coach Ted Sator and made two brief attempts at a comeback with Minnesota and San Jose.  After retirement he became a recluse, refusing to participate in any reunions with the Olympic team or the Rangers.

Tragically, his wife died in 2012 in an accidental fall at their home and Pavelich made headlines two years later when he sold his gold medal at auction for $260k to provide for his daughter.  He finally made it back to Lake Placid in 2015 when he was convinced to join the team for the 35th anniversary of the gold medal.

Pavelich remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail, facing charges of second and third degree assault and possession of an illegal weapon.  A mental competency hearing has been ordered by a Cook County judge.