Olympic Hockey Hero On Ice In Loony Bin

Scrappy hockey star Mark Pavelich bolstered the hopes and dreams of a nation as part of America’s Miracle on Ice team in 1980. But in the four decades since the young jocks defeated the Soviet Union’s powerhouse pros at the Lake Placid Olympics, Pavelich’s fairy-tale life has tumbled into tragedy marred by mental illness.

Five months after he allegedly beat a pal with a metal pole in August, a Minnesota judge locked up the ex-athlete in a medical facility, deeming him dangerous and incapable of standing trial.

Two psychologists testified that Pavelich, 61, suffered from delusions, paranoia and a neurocognitive disorder, which Dr. Jacqueline Buffington said is probably the result of traumatic brain injury.

Relatives said they believe his worsening mental state was caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the result of playing the rough-and-tumble sport he long loved.