Michigan doctor pleads no contest to sexual assault charges

A doctor who worked with youth hockey teams in the Detroit area has pleaded no contest to sexual assault and other crimes. Zvi Levran, known as the "hockey doctor," was involved in cases concerning 13 people, including teenagers. Levran, 68, faced serious accusations. Authorities said he formed relationships with players as teens and later treated some as adults. Victims testified that he groped them during sports physicals or while treating injuries. One man claimed Levran performed oral sex during a medical appointment. Oakland County prosecutor Karen McDonald stated that the plea will help victims avoid the trauma of testifying at a trial. She emphasized that it brings certainty about the case's outcome. A no-contest plea in Michigan is treated as a conviction at sentencing, meaning Levran could face a maximum of 15 years in prison. Defense attorney Jonathan Jones described Levran as an "eccentric gentleman" and claimed he did not touch patients for sexual reasons. The case drew comparisons to Larry Nassar, another Michigan doctor who is currently in prison for similar crimes against athletes.