Arizona State Hockey Players Accuse Coach of Downplaying Teammate's Coma After Grueling Workout

Seven Arizona State Sun Devils hockey players have penned a 26-page letter to university president Michael Crow, requesting that head coach Greg Powers and his staff be placed on administrative leave. The players, who have remained anonymous due to fear of retaliation, allege that a demanding team workout on August 20 left teammate Matthew Mayich incapacitated and in a coma.

The letter disputes the university's initial review of the incident, which suggested Mayich did not receive adequate hydration or medical care after collapsing. The players contend that the workout, led by an ex-U.S. Army Green Beret, involved a severe lack of water breaks. According to the players, a single water break occurred approximately 40 minutes into the 75-minute session, lasting only a few seconds, and many players, including Mayich, did not receive water.

During the workout, Mayich reportedly showed signs of disorientation and was unable to complete a buddy carry exercise. The players claim he remained in direct sunlight for several minutes after collapsing before teammates carried him into the shade. They also stated that the cooling measures available were limited to towels from a cooler, water from bottles, and a garden hose, in temperatures that regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in August.

Mayich, a sophomore and a St. Louis Blues draft pick, was hospitalized following the incident. The players' letter asserts that head coach Greg Powers downplayed the severity of Mayich's condition, initially describing it as "little heat stroke" and suggesting the workout was beneficial for the team's performance.

"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," the players wrote. "No one has separate us from them since that morning. We should not have to choose between telling the truth about August 20 and keeping what we have worked our whole lives for."

The Arizona State hockey team is scheduled to open its 2026–27 season on Friday against Lindenwood.