Arizona State hockey player Matthew Mayich faces a dire prognosis after collapsing during an outdoor team workout and subsequently falling into a coma, according to the family's lawyer.
Robert Carey, representing Mayich's family, told The Arizona Republic that the player has "almost no real chance of recovering" from his current incapacitated state. In a separate communication with College Hockey News, Carey clarified that Mayich is "incapacitated and has almost no real chance of recovering from that situation."
The incident occurred on August 20 when Mayich collapsed while participating in an outdoor workout on the school's track in temperatures near 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Carey indicated that Mayich "was disoriented and struggled well before he collapsed."
Mayich, who was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, was transported to a local hospital and is currently receiving care at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.
Carey is conducting an independent investigation and is reportedly challenging the narrative presented by Arizona State regarding the workout's intensity. He stated that multiple players described the workout, led by former Green Beret Tim Ziesel, as "grueling" and "unbearably hard." Carey alleged that Ziesel "yelled at them from the get-go... like a drill instructor."
"My investigation shows the storyline is completely false," Carey said. "This case has shattered [Mayich's] life. He deserves, and his family deserves, a proper investigation."
An attorney for Ziesel stated that Ziesel left the workout prior to Mayich's collapse and that the session was not a "Green Beret or SEAL workout. Far from it." The attorney added that "The head coach, assistant coaches and medical were always present."
According to Carey, players were allegedly instructed not to complain and that water was only accessible to those leading the exercises. The lawyer also suggested that players feared retaliation, such as losing scholarships or their positions, if they spoke out.
Carey has requested that coaches and staff be suspended or placed on administrative leave to facilitate ASU's investigation and interviews with players. A spokesperson for the university confirmed they are "reviewing everything surrounding the workout."
Mayich, a Canadian national, previously played for the Ottawa 67's in the Ontario Hockey League before transferring to Arizona State from Clarkson University. During his time at Clarkson, Mayich recorded seven goals and eight assists in 34 games.