Michigan’s “Hockey Doc” treated children as prey, sentenced to 10 years after using his position to sexually assault young hockey players seeking medical care.
At a Glance
- Dr. Zvi Levran, a 68-year-old Detroit-area physician known as the “hockey doc,” has been sentenced to at least 10 years in prison for sexual assault of young athletes
- Victims reported being groped during sports physicals, with one victim stating Levran performed oral sex during an appointment for a hip injury
- Levran pleaded no contest to 28 crimes in Oakland County, including third-degree criminal sexual conduct
- Prosecutors have compared the case to that of Larry Nassar, another Michigan sports doctor imprisoned for similar predatory behavior
- Victims have been praised for their courage in coming forward, preventing future abuse by the trusted physician
Another Predator in a Position of Trust
In a disturbing echo of the Larry Nassar scandal that rocked Michigan sports medicine, Dr. Zvi Levran has been sentenced to a minimum of 10 years behind bars for sexually assaulting young hockey players who trusted him for medical care. The 68-year-old physician, who built a reputation working with youth hockey teams in the Detroit area, pleaded no contest to 28 criminal charges in Oakland County, including the serious charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Under Michigan law, his no-contest plea is treated as a conviction at sentencing, making him eligible for parole after serving his minimum 10-year sentence.
Pattern of Exploitation and Abuse
The details emerging from Levran’s case paint a disturbing pattern of a medical professional exploiting his position to prey on vulnerable young athletes. Victims reported being groped during what should have been routine sports physicals or injury treatments. Some described how Levran would shower with them after workouts – an egregious boundary violation by any standard. Most shocking, one victim testified that the doctor performed oral sex during what was supposed to be an appointment for a hip injury. This calculated abuse of medical authority to satisfy sexual urges is exactly what makes these crimes so heinous and worthy of significant prison time.
Michigan’s Troubling Pattern in Sports Medicine
What is it about Michigan and predatory sports doctors? Levran’s case has drawn inevitable comparisons to former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar, who was sentenced to effectively life in prison for similar crimes against hundreds of athletes. Both men used their medical expertise and positions of trust to gain unfettered access to young athletes’ bodies. Both created a veneer of professionalism that allowed them to commit repeated assaults under the guise of medical treatment. The similarities are chilling and raise serious questions about oversight in sports medicine, especially when doctors work with minors.
Victims Find Their Voice
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald rightfully praised the courage of Levran’s victims for coming forward, acknowledging that their bravery helped prevent future abuse. One 29-year-old victim expressed that while her mental health suffered from the trauma, she now feels empowered knowing that Levran no longer has power over her or other potential victims. This trauma doesn’t simply disappear with a prison sentence, but seeing justice served provides some measure of closure. These brave individuals stepped forward despite knowing they would face scrutiny and have their most traumatic experiences dissected in court.
Preventable Tragedy
The most infuriating aspect of cases like Levran’s is their preventability. How many adults looked the other way? How many institutions failed in their duty to protect these young athletes? For too long, Levran operated with impunity, using his reputation as the “hockey doc” to maintain access to victims. We need to ask hard questions about why medical oversight failed these children and young adults. Parents entrusted their children to hockey leagues and medical professionals, never imagining that this trust would be so horribly violated. This 10-year sentence is merely the beginning of accountability, not the end.
