Arizona State University is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a hockey player during a team workout that resulted in his hospitalization last week.
The athlete, Matthew Mayich, a defenseman who was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the 2023 NHL Draft, was participating in off‑season conditioning at Sun Angel Stadium when he began to show signs of distress.
Tempe Fire Medical Rescue was dispatched to the stadium after reports of a heat‑related illness, and Mayich was taken to a local hospital where he remains under observation.
Investigation Underway
The university has opened a review of the workout’s organization and safety protocols, though it has not confirmed whether the session was officially sanctioned by the coaching staff.
University officials emphasized that they are treating the incident with the utmost seriousness, citing concerns about player welfare amid rising temperatures in the Phoenix metro area.
Meteorological records indicate that the day of the incident saw an average temperature of 92.5 °F, with a high that climbed to 106 °F, conditions that can exacerbate heat stress during intense physical activity.
A Promising Career in Limbo
Mayich’s path to ASU has been marked by steady progression, including a four‑year stint with the Ottawa 67s of the Ontario Hockey League and a single season at Clarkson University before his transfer.
During the past two years he attended prospect camps hosted by the St. Louis Blues in both 2023 and 2024, yet he has not secured an entry‑level contract with the NHL franchise.
He is slated to begin his sophomore season with the Sun Devils in the 2026‑27 campaign, a prospect that now hangs in the balance as the investigation continues.