On August 20, the first day of fall semester classes, Arizona State University hockey defenseman Matthew Mayich, 21, collapsed during an outdoor workout and remains in a coma.
Mayich had been selected by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, raising hopes that his collegiate career could translate into a professional future, but the sudden medical emergency has left that outlook in doubt.
Coach Greg Powers tasked former Green Beret Tim Ziesel with overseeing the session, which was described by Ziesel’s attorney Robert Anglen as having a 'mid-level' intensity comparable to high‑school football conditioning, far from the extreme demands typically associated with elite hockey training.
According to family lawyer Robert Carey, Arizona State University has not opened a thorough investigation into the collapse, stating that Mayich 'has zero chance of recovery,' a claim that underscores the family’s frustration with the university’s response.
Community Support
Sun Devil teammates and the broader ASU community took to social media to honor Mayich’s jersey number 27, posting messages of prayer and solidarity for his family during this difficult time.
The combination of a promising draft pedigree, a sudden on‑field tragedy, and the lack of a clear investigative path has left the Sun Devil program and Mayich’s loved ones navigating an uncertain future, while the outpouring of support highlights the tight‑knit nature of the hockey community.