Arizona State hockey is in absolute turmoil. Defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed during the first workout of the season back on August 20, fell into a coma, and his family’s attorney has already stated there is “zero chance of recovery.” Now, his teammates are firing back, sending a scathing letter to school president Michael Crow demanding the entire coaching staff be placed on leave and for an independent investigation into what went down.
Players Fear Retaliation as They Demand Action
The team isn’t messing around. In their letter to President Crow on Monday, the players didn’t just ask for the coaching staff to be put on leave, they also called for the school to hand off its internal investigation to an independent agency. Why? Because they’re scared. They flat out said they fear retaliation from head coach Greg Powers and his staff if they speak freely about what led to Mayich’s hospitalization. “That fear is not directed at one person,” the players wrote, explaining that mechanisms like playing time and scholarships could be used against them.
Mayich’s parents, through their own attorney, had already called for the coaching staff’s suspension for the exact same reasons. Powers, who’s supposedly prepping for his 17th season leading the Sun Devils, finally spoke publicly on September 23 but dodged every question about the incident, only telling reporters he believes he’s still the “right guy” for the job. You gotta wonder what kind of “right guy” can’t even address something this serious.
The Brutal Workout and Alarming Response
So what actually happened to Mayich on August 20? It was the first day of team activities, an outdoor workout led by former Green Beret Tim Ziesel. Ziesel denies players were refused water and claims he left campus before Mayich collapsed, but the players’ letter paints a far more disturbing picture. They alleged the workout was way more intense than previously reported, with some players getting “punishment” for falling behind. “Those of us who finished behind a cutoff line did additional work,” the letter states.
And here’s where it gets even more alarming: Mayich himself showed signs of “visible disorientation” during the 75-minute session. Players claimed he didn’t even get water. The worst part? They accused the coaching staff of doing “nothing” to cool him down before emergency services finally arrived a shocking 17 minutes after he collapsed. And get this, the letter sent Monday claims Powers initially dismissed it, saying what happened to Mayich was something he’d seen “a million times,” calling it, “just a little heat stroke.” Just a little heat stroke? The lawyer confirmed Mayich has “zero chance of recovery” because of oxygen loss to his brain after the collapse.
This isn’t just about a tragic accident anymore, it’s about accountability and player safety. What happens next with this investigation, and whether ASU backs its players or its coach, is going to define this program for years. This is far from over.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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