‘Miracle on Ice’ forward Pavelich charged in assault

GRAND MARAIS, Minn. — Mark Pavelich, a forward on the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic hockey team who went on to play for the New York Rangers and two other NHL teams, has been charged with assault for allegedly beating a neighbor with a metal pole and breaking several of the man’s bones.

The 61-year-old Pavelich attacked his neighbor last week at Pavelich’s home in the small Lake Superior community of Lutsen, Minn., after they returned from fishing, authorities allege in the criminal complaint. Pavelich told investigators he believed the man had “spiked” his beer, leading to the alleged attack, it states.

First responders found the neighbor in shock with “obvious disfigurement of his leg,” KMSP-TV reported. He also had a bruised kidney, two cracked ribs and a fractured vertebra.

Pavelich faces charges of second- and third-degree assault, possession of an illegal shotgun and receiving a gun with an altered or missing serial number.

He remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 bail, the Star Tribune reported.

Pavelich had two assists in the United States’ “Miracle” 4-3 win over the Soviet Union in the semifinals of the 1980 Olympic tournament. The U.S. beat Finland in the finals. In other news:

• The Minnesota Wild hired Bill Guerin as their new general manager. Guerin won two Stanley Cups as a player and two more titles in the front office with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He takes over for Paul Fenton, who was fired three weeks ago by owner Craig Leipold.