Free Republic

A central figure in one of the most iconic moments in American sports has died.Mark Pavelich, a member of the "Miracle on Ice" USA Hockey team, was found dead Thursday morning at a mental health treatment center, the Star Tribune reports. He was 63.USA Hockey confirmed Pavelich's death Friday.Pavelich is the second member of Miracle on Ice team to die, following the death of Bob Suter in 2014.The cause of Pavelich's death is not known, per the Star Tribune, though emergency dispatch audio reportedly disclosed that Pavelich had not been seen since 8 p.m. Wednesday, and responding personnel said he...

Kara Pavelich, the wife of former U.S. Olympic hockey and NHL star Mark Pavelich, died Thursday, Sept. 6, at their Lutsen, Minn., home when she accidentally fell approximately 20 feet from a second-story balcony that has no railing. She was 44. Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk said Saturday that deputies were called to the Pavelich home at 11:32 a.m. Thursday. It is likely that Kara Pavelich was on the balcony seeking better cell phone reception; a cell phone was found beside her. The death is being considered accidental.