Several players on the Arizona State University hockey team are refusing to keep quiet about the tragic incident involving St. Louis Blues prospect Matthew Mayich.
In a letter sent to university president Michael Crow and obtained by several media outlets, Mayich’s Sun Devils teammates dispute several aspects of the school’s internal review of the Aug. 20 workout — which left Mayich hospitalized and on life support — and called for coach Greg Powers to be put on administrative leave.
In the 26-page letter, Powers is accused of downplaying the severity of Mayich’s situation and that several players feared retaliation from the coach and his staff for speaking out about the incident.
“We should not have to choose between telling the truth about August 20 and keeping what we have worked our whole lives for,” the players wrote.
What did the players say happened to Mayich?
According to the Athletic, the seven unnamed players wrote that Powers said Mayich had “just a little head stroke,” and only needed an IV.
The letter also claims that Mayich — and several others — did not receive proper hydration during the workout and that the Blues prospect didn’t receive adequate medical care after he collapsed.
The pre-season workout had been conducted by Tim Ziesel, an ex-Green Beret, and ASU’s internal review found that the team’s coaching staff had not vetted the training plan for the workout – but didn’t place responsibility on anyone for the incident.
Last week, a video was posted online of the workout, showing Mayich participating and several players appearing to struggle to complete pushups on an outdoor field at Arizona State University on Aug. 20.
According to a preliminary report the university released last week, the school’s hockey coaching staff had requested permission for Ziesel to speak to the team but “did not submit a plan of training activities for review by ASU’s strength and conditioning coaches prior to the event.”
The report also stated that the temperature was roughly 30ºC and that the student athletes were involved in “callisthenics, bodyweight exercises such as pushups and planks and running.”
Were the players given water?
In the letter, the players allege that they weren’t given a water break until more than 35 minutes into the 75-minute workout and had only seconds to hydrate.
They also claim that only eight players — the first finishers during a bear crawl — were given water.
“Matthew showed signs of distress earlier, in the bear crawl and the buddy carry, well before the medicine ball task during which he collapsed,” the players wrote. “At the talk before the final event he was struggling to stand and leaning on a teammate, in front of Ziesel, the coaches, and the trainer.
“No one at ASU properly monitored him during the workout and no one intervened.”
What happens now?
Clanko Media reported that the team would not be practising on Tuesday, instead meeting with the school’s athletic director.
“Hearing that ASU hockey practice will not happen today. Team will be meeting with AD,” the account posted on X.
During their team-bonding trip to Arizona over the weekend, the Maple Leafs visited with Mayich and his family. The team also wore custom shirts and hats in tribute to the Stoney Creek native.
According to Mayich’s family attorney, the 21-year-old has no chance of recovery.