The Ranch

About Us

The Ranch–Teammates for Life is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides substance-free shelter for mental health wellness programs and services through donations, community involvement, and volunteers. Our mission is to offer a healthy, therapeutic, and supportive environment for hockey players, veterans, first responders, and others affected by mental illness.

Founded in 2020, The Ranch was formed around the motivation and vision of Mark Pavelich, NHL player, and 1980 Olympic Gold Medalist. Mark long struggled with anxiety and life in the spotlight. Through the years, his struggles with mental health and the effects of traumatic brain injuries intensified, until he was eventually admitted to a mental health facility. But there he could not settle in or begin the work of rehabilitation and healing. Thanks to the advocacy of his family and fellow NHL players, Mark was transferred to The Eagle’s Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, Minnesota, an organization committed to meeting the needs of our veterans, service members, and their families who suffer from the invisible wounds of war.

At The Eagle’s Healing Nest, in a natural landscape surrounded by Veterans experiencing similar struggles, Mark was able to begin the work of recovery. It was there that Mark, along with friends and former NHL teammates, really began to formalize the dream of creating a similar place for recovery and rehabilitation of hockey players and others experiencing trauma, and mental health struggles. Though Mark lost his battle, his final wish was that his loved ones would bring his vision to life.