Ukrainian Hockey Coach Accused of Fondling Teen Found Dead in Cell: Official

Officials suspect Ivan Pravilov committed suicide.

Ukrainian hockey coach Ivan Pravilov, who trained teens and professionals in the Philadelphia area, was found dead in his jail cell Friday, an officials told the Associated Press.

Authorities suspect suicide.

Pravilov, a mentor to several NHL and college players including former Flyer (an current New Jersey Devil) Dainius Zubrus, was arrested in mid-January for having sexual contact with a teenage boy in who attended his hockey clinics, authorities say.

The alleged fondling happened in Pravilov’s Philadelphia apartment, officials say.

A week after his arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials announced that 49-year-old Pravilov was wanted on an Interpol warrant and was charged with traveling for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct and transporting a person to engage in criminal sexual activity.

A recent book by former player Maxim Starchenko describes the coach as physically, mentally and sexually abusive.
   
On January 31 Pravilov waived his right to bail. A public defender did not comment on why Pravilov is no longer seeking bail that day.

Pravilov had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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