ASU hockey coach on leave after player collapsed during outdoor workout

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Arizona State has placed hockey coach Greg Powers on administrative leave as the school investigates the collapse of a player during an outdoor workout.

Powers will not join the team for its season opener at Lindenwood on Friday in the wake of the Aug. 20 collapse of defenseman Matthew Mayich. Assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead the team against Lindenwood and an interim coach will be named soon.

“Our focus continues to be on Matthew and his family, and on our student-athletes to make sure they have the support they need during this time and as the season begins,” ASU athletic director Graham Rossini said in a statement. “We have continued to collect as much information as possible. After thorough and careful deliberation, I believe this is the best move to provide stability for the hockey program.”

The 21-year-old Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout on the first day the NCAA allows official activities. He suffered from external heat stroke that reduced flow of oxygen to his brain and is unlikely to recover, according to family attorney Rob Carey.

Seven players sent a letter to university President Michael Crow on Monday urging the school to place the coaches involved in the workout on administrative leave until an independent investigation is concluded. The letter also called out discrepancies from an initial probe by the university.

“We are submitting this report anonymously because we fear retaliation from the coaching staff,” the letter said. “That fear is not directed at one person. The head coach and his assistant coaches were all on the field on August 20, all remain in their positions, and together they decide our playing time, scholarship levels, and roster status. No one has separated us from them since that morning.”

The players' letter claims multiple parts of ASU exertional heat policy were not followed before and after Mayich collapsed, including progressive acclimatization to Arizona's heat, frequent rest periods and access to fluids whenever needed.

The letter said the workout was 75 minutes of constant exertion and only the players who did well at the task were allowed a break for liquids. Mayich was not among the players who were allowed to hydrate, it said.

Mayich's parents, John and Christina Mayich, issued a statement on Tuesday agreeing with the players that the coaching staff should be placed on leave.

"The NCHC supports Arizona State University's decision to place head coach Greg Powers on leave while the circumstances surrounding Matthew Mayich's trauma are examined," the National Collegiate Hockey Conference said in a statement. “Our thoughts remain with Matthew, his family and teammates.”