GRAND MARAIS, Minn — A Minnesota-born forward from the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" U.S. Olympic gold-medal hockey team has been found incompetent to stand trial on charges he beat a neighbor with a metal pole.
A judge told 61-year-old Mark Pavelich of Lutsen Monday that a psychologist's report indicates Pavelich "needs some assistance" to understand the proceedings.
Prosecutors say Pavelich attacked his friend after the two returned from fishing in August, accusing the victim of "spiking his beer."
A court-appointed psychiatrist interviewed Pavelich, then opined that he presented "an imminent risk of serious danger to others outside his jail setting." Based on those opinions, Judge Michael Cuzzo ordered that Pavelich remain in custody until placed in supervised psychiatric care. The judge initiated civil commitment proceedings at the hearing. Neither the prosecution nor the defense objected to the ruling.
"He lacks the ability to rationally consult with counsel, is incapable of understanding the proceedings, and is incapable of participating in the defense due to mental illness or deficiency," Cuzzo's order said.
Pavelich had two assists in the United States' "Miracle" 4-3 win over the Soviet Union in a medal-round game of the 1980 Olympic tournament. The U.S. then beat Finland to win the gold medal. He later played for the New York Rangers and two other NHL teams.
In 2014 Pavelich auctioned off his 1980 Olympic Gold Medal for $269,000. At the time he said he wasn't in financial distress, but wanted to help his children with their education.
