Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old hockey player and St. Louis Blues draft pick, is still hospitalized and incapacitated nearly two weeks after collapsing during an offseason workout at Arizona State University. His condition, according to attorney Rob Carey who represents his family, is highly unlikely to change. This is just brutal news.
What Went Down on August 20th
The incident happened during an outdoor workout on August 20th, which was the very first day of the fall 2026 semester, the earliest the NCAA even allows hockey teams to hold formal activities. Carey ripped into the situation, calling the outdoor workout “onerous” and “grueling.” He argued it was completely unsuited for a first outdoor practice, especially since Mayich and other athletes hadn’t even been in the “Valley” for a full week. Carey added that there were signs of trouble way before Mayich collapsed and that the workout stretched for well over an hour with no rest, and only one water break for some of the athletes. How does that even happen?
ASU’s Response and the Fight For Answers
Arizona State’s only public statement so far noted that coaches and trainers were present. Carey was quick to hit back on that, saying it “doesn’t” mean the workout was nothing unusual, “it just means ASU’s own people stood there and watched exactly what they dialed up, and had no problem with it, at least the head coach didn’t.” He suspects other university employees might have realized student-athletes were in jeopardy. ASU athletic director Graham Rossini said they’d conduct a “thorough review,” but was clear it’s “not an investigation where someone is suggesting something went wrong,” saying they are “just reviewing the facts and understanding the scenario.” Carey isn’t having it, calling for an independent investigation, placing those involved on administrative leave, and demanding to know who authorized the workout and its full details.
Matthew, who played four seasons with the Ottawa 67’s and then at Clarkson University last season before transferring to ASU for the upcoming season, was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL draft but never signed an entry-level contract. His family is right there by his side, so grateful for all the support from the hockey community and his teammates as their own investigation into August 20th kicks off. They’re just trying to hold each other together and do everything they can for their son. This whole thing is just devastating, and you can only hope they get some real answers.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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