ASU Hockey Players Demand Independent Probe and Coaching Leave After Teammate’s Collapse
Seven Arizona State University hockey players sent an anonymous letter via attorney Timothy J. Casey on Monday, requesting that the hockey coaching staff be placed on administrative leave. The letter follows an August 20 outdoor workout collapse that left 21-year-old defenceman Matthew Mayich hospitalized and unlikely to recover from an exertional heat stroke.
Players Demand Administrative Leave Over Workout Protocols
The anonymous letter sent to ASU President Michael Crow challenges findings from the university’s initial review of the incident. Seven players on the field during the August 20 training session stated that multiple aspects of ASU’s exertional heat policy were ignored. According to the letter, the 75-minute outdoor workout lacked progressive acclimatization to Arizona’s heat, frequent rest periods, and accessible fluids. The players reported that only those who performed well during the conditioning drill were permitted to drink water, and Mayich was excluded from hydration breaks.
The players stated they filed the request anonymously through their legal counsel due to fear of professional retaliation. Because the head coach and assistant coaches remain in their positions on the field, they retain total control over roster status, scholarship levels, and playing time. The letter asks for an interim coaching staff to be appointed so that an independent investigation can proceed without putting players’ athletic careers at risk.
Contradictions and Independent Oversight Calls
The players’ correspondence directly contradicts several assertions made in Arizona State’s initial probe. While ASU’s report acknowledged that coaches were present during the workout, it did not address why training plans were never submitted to the university. The letter also claims Mayich showed signs of disorientation much earlier than the official report indicated, was not properly cooled prior to paramedics arriving, and that head coach Greg Powers downplayed the severity by telling the team Mayich suffered "just a little heat stroke."
Following the release of the letter, Arizona House education committee chairman Matt Gress and Senate education committee chairs called for an independent investigation. Lawmakers emphasized that ASU should not investigate its own conduct. The Arizona State Police Department is currently conducting an investigation, with the final report scheduled for independent review by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Background on Matthew Mayich
Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old defenceman from Stoney Creek, Ontario, was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL draft, though he never signed an entry-level contract. Prior to transferring to Arizona State for the upcoming season, Mayich played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Ottawa 67’s and spent last season competing for Clarkson University.
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