PONTIAC, Mich. — A former doctor known for his work with youth hockey teams in the Detroit area has pleaded no contest to sexual assault charges involving 13 victims, including several teenagers. Zvi Levran, 68, a prominent figure in the local hockey community, is facing serious legal consequences after being accused of exploiting his position of trust to abuse young athletes over the course of many years.
Levran, often referred to as the “hockey doctor,” built relationships with players starting in their teen years, continuing to treat some into adulthood. Authorities say Levran used his access to vulnerable young patients to carry out his abusive acts. Victims testified that Levran groped them during routine sports physicals or medical treatments for injuries, and in some cases, even showered with them following practices. One victim described a particularly disturbing encounter where Levran performed oral sex during a medical appointment for a hip injury.
The charges Levran pleaded no contest to include 28 counts of criminal sexual conduct, with the most serious charge being third-degree criminal sexual conduct. As part of his plea, Levran avoided a lengthy trial, which would have forced victims to testify and potentially re-live their traumatic experiences. A no-contest plea in Michigan is treated as a conviction during sentencing, and Levran now faces up to 15 years in prison.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald expressed relief that the plea would spare victims from the emotional toll of a trial. “This plea ensures Levran’s victims will not be re-traumatized by the burden of testifying at trial. It also spares them any further uncertainty about the outcome of this case,” McDonald said in a statement.
Levran’s defense attorney, Jonathan Jones, noted that the decision to enter a no-contest plea was “just the right thing to do.” Earlier in the proceedings, Jones had described Levran as an “eccentric gentleman” and insisted that the doctor did not touch his patients for sexual reasons, despite the growing number of allegations.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to its similarities to the high-profile case of Larry Nassar, the former Michigan State University doctor who was convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of young athletes, including Olympic gymnasts. The abuse by both men highlights the disturbing vulnerability of young athletes and the dangers posed by individuals in positions of authority.
As Levran’s sentencing approaches, his victims are left to process the deep emotional and psychological effects of the abuse. For many, the case serves as a painful reminder of the need for stronger safeguards to protect young athletes from those who would exploit their trust.
