Arizona State Puts Hockey Coach Greg Powers on Leave After Player Collapses in Workout

Arizona State University has placed its head hockey coach, Greg Powers, on paid administrative leave following a serious incident during a team workout last month. The move comes after Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old defenseman from Ontario and NHL draft pick, collapsed during an outdoor session on August 20 and has since remained in hospital on life support.

Mayich’s collapse happened during a workout at Sun Angel Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. Reports say the session was intense and took place in hot conditions, with temperatures reaching into the high 80s Fahrenheit. According to the university, the workout included exercises like running with medicine balls, calisthenics, and sprints. Mayich stumbled and fell near the end of the session and was treated on-site before being taken to hospital.

However, several players have raised concerns that the university’s account does not fully reflect what happened. Seven team members sent a detailed anonymous letter to ASU’s president, Michael Crow, disputing the official timeline and safety measures. They say Mayich did not get water during the workout, that the exercise was harsh and continued despite signs of distress, and that proper medical equipment was missing.

Mayich’s family supports the players’ call for a full independent investigation. Their attorney has said Mayich suffered severe exertional heat stroke that caused oxygen deprivation to his brain and that he is unlikely to recover. The family and players want the coaching staff who ran the workout to be placed on leave while the investigation proceeds.

For now, assistant coach Mike Corbett is expected to lead the team in their upcoming season opener at Lindenwood University. ASU has said it will name an interim head coach soon. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference has backed Arizona State’s decision to put Powers on leave and stressed the importance of reviewing the players’ concerns thoroughly.

Arizona State University is also conducting an internal review, and the incident is under investigation by the ASU Police Department, which will forward its findings to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for further examination.