ASU hockey coach placed on leave following player’s collapse during workout

TEMPE, Ariz. (KYMA) - Arizona State head hockey coach Greg Powers has been placed on paid administrative leave following the collapse of a player during a summer workout that left him with life-threatening injuries.

The university announced the decision Wednesday after seven Arizona State hockey players asked the school to remove Powers while an investigation into the incident continues.

It happened August 20 when 21-year-old defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed during a sweltering team workout.

Mayich, an Arizona State player and St. Louis Blues draft prospect, was selected by the Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

According to Mayich's family attorney, Rob Carey, Mayich suffered extreme heatstroke that reduced the flow of oxygen to his brain. He remains on life support and is unlikely to recover from his injuries.

Following the incident, seven of Mayich's teammates submitted a letter to the university disputing the findings of Arizona State's initial review and asking the school to place staff members involved in the workout on administrative leave.

The university's review found the hockey coaching staff did not submit a training plan for the workout for review beforehand. The workout was also led by former Green Beret Tim Ziesel, who did not have a contract with the university.

In addition, the players raised concerns about potential retaliation from the coaching staff and alleged that Powers downplayed Mayich's condition following his collapse.

Powers has denied wrongdoing, and said Wednesday he supports the university's decision to place him on leave.

"I respect our players' right to speak openly and honestly about their experiences, and I want every player to feel completely free to participate candidly in the review," Powers said in a statement. "For now, the players deserve the opportunity to focus on one another, on Matthew and on the season ahead. I will support them from a distance while the facts are carefully examined and the process moves forward."

Assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead the Sun Devils for their opening games at Lindenwood this weekend, while Arizona State says an interim head coach will be named soon.

The Arizona State Police Department is investigating the incident and is expected to send its findings to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for independent review.

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference also released a statement supporting Arizona State's decision to place Powers on leave, saying the concerns raised by the student-athletes deserve to be heard and thoroughly reviewed.