PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Ukrainian hockey coach has been indicted on charges he fondled a teen attending clinics in Philadelphia.
Ivan Pravilov (ee-VAHN’ PRAH’-vuh-lahv), a mentor to several NHL and college players, has been in custody since his arrest last week.
Federal authorities will seek detention at a hearing Friday. They say he threatened a teenage witness and has no local ties.
A recent book by former player Maxim Starchenko describes the coach as physically, mentally and sexually abusive.
Authorities say the 48-year-old Pravilov took a 14-year-old Ukrainian boy to his Philadelphia apartment this month for sexual purposes. The boy was staying with a family in Wilmington, Del.
Pravilov’s hockey school takes young players to camps and tournaments throughout the U.S.
His public defender did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday.
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