Matthew Mayich, a hockey prospect from Ontario and recent transfer to Arizona State University (ASU) from Clarkson University, remains in critical condition following a workout session on August 20 that has prompted scrutiny and calls for accountability. The incident took place at Sun Angel Stadium in Tempe during ASU’s first official team activity, a roughly 45-minute workout led by former Green Beret Tim Ziesel that reportedly did not include water breaks.
According to reports, Mayich collapsed toward the end of the session, which involved intense exercises such as squats, planks, push-ups, flutter kicks, and fireman carries. He dropped a medicine ball he had been carrying and staggered before falling to the ground. Emergency personnel responded, and he was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for exertional heat stroke, a condition that restricts oxygen supply to the brain. His family’s attorney has indicated that Mayich is unlikely to recover.
ASU initially downplayed the severity of the situation. The team resumed practice the following day, and players were reportedly not fully informed about Mayich’s condition. In an interview shortly after the incident, ASU Athletic Director Graham Rossini said the university was reviewing its procedures but stressed there was no suggestion that wrongdoing had occurred, describing the effort as an internal fact-finding review.
The Mayich family, however, has pushed for a thorough, independent investigation. After coach Greg Powers was placed on paid administrative leave on September 30, John and Christina Mayich issued a statement asserting that the coaches responsible for the August 20 workout should be removed pending an independent inquiry. They also expressed concern that players might face retaliation if they spoke out.
Seven players affiliated with the hockey team submitted an anonymous letter to ASU President Michael Crow through their attorney, calling for the coaching staff to be placed on leave to ensure they could speak freely. The letter disputed several points in the university’s internal review, including the claim that Mayich had access to water during the workout. The letter-writing players’ actions reportedly contributed to the decision to suspend Powers, whose lawyers have also alleged he replaced his cell phone, raising questions about the potential destruction of evidence.
In recent developments, ASU hired NHL assistant coach Dave Hakstol to lead the hockey program. The university also appointed former Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Scott Bales to conduct an independent review focused on improving policies related to athlete safety. However, the Mayich family’s lawyer, Rob Carey, has emphasized that while policy review is necessary, the immediate priority should be an investigation into the specific circumstances that led to Mayich’s collapse and who bears responsibility.
As the ASU hockey team prepares for upcoming games, attention remains on the ongoing calls for justice from the Mayich family and players alike. The family continues to urge the university to take stronger action to address their concerns and ensure accountability following the tragic incident.