Arizona State Hockey Coach Placed on Leave Amid Investigation into Player's Coma
Greg Powers, head coach of the men's hockey program, is on paid administrative leave as ASU investigates a workout that left player Matthew Mayich incapacitated.
Arizona State University has placed men's hockey head coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave as the school continues its investigation into a demanding team workout that left a player in a coma. The university announced the decision Thursday, with Powers having been placed on leave the previous day.
The player, sophomore Matthew Mayich, a prospect for the St. Louis Blues, has been in a coma since the August 20 workout, which was reportedly run by an ex-Army Green Beret. Powers, who has led the program since its debut at the Division I level in the 2015-16 season, is now on leave.
"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."
Assistant coach Mike Corbett is expected to lead the team as they open their season on the road against Lindenwood University. An interim head coach will be named at a later date.
The decision follows a letter sent by seven members of the Sun Devil hockey program through an attorney, which disputed certain findings of the school's initial review of the incident. The 26-page letter, addressed to ASU President Michael Crow, noted that the entire coaching staff, who were present on August 20, remained in their positions. The players stated in the letter that they should not have to choose between telling the truth about the incident and their academic and athletic futures.
Mayich remains hospitalized. His family's attorney, Robert Carey, has indicated that the player has "zero chance of recovery."
The 21-year-old Mayich transferred to Arizona State after playing the previous season at Clarkson University. He was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft.