An Arizona State hockey player was hospitalized after collapsing during an outdoor training session last Thursday. Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old defenseman, remained hospitalized as of Tuesday evening, a person close to his family confirmed to The Athletic.
The university is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the workout, according to Chris Fiscus, Vice President of ASU media relations. Fiscus confirmed that a student-athlete collapsed during an outdoor exercise Thursday morning and is currently hospitalized. The university is withholding the student-athlete's name due to privacy concerns.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:31 a.m. on Thursday, when Tempe Fire Medical Rescue responded to calls of a "heat-related illness" at Sun Angel Stadium, an outdoor track and field facility on the ASU campus. Paramedics treated the player on site before transporting him to a local hospital.
Phoenix had been experiencing extreme heat in the week leading up to the incident. The average temperature last Thursday was 92.5 degrees Fahrenheit, with a high of 106 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon.
Mayich, a sophomore defenseman, transferred to Arizona State this offseason after playing one season with Clarkson University. He was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft and previously played for the Ottawa 67's in the Ontario Hockey League.
His cousin, Victoria Beara, told The Arizona Republic that the family is grateful for the support and prayers from others, saying, "it is truly such a blessing to see everyone praying and just the impact Matthew has had on so many people."