Matthew Mayich, a 21‑year‑old defenseman prospect for the St. Louis Blues, collapsed during an outdoor military‑style workout on August 20 at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, after suffering a severe exertional heat stroke that required immediate hospitalization.
The grueling session, overseen by former Green Beret Tim Ziesel, included sprints, planks, push‑ups and bear crawls, with participants reportedly forced to repeat exercises without the usual rest periods or water breaks.
Rob Carey, Mayich’s attorney, condemned the workout as unsafe, alleging that players were denied standard breaks and water, a claim that has intensified scrutiny of the training regimen.
Medical officials say Mayich was disoriented before he collapsed and that the heat stroke was the sole cause of his condition, with his lawyer warning that the injury is likely fatal and that Mayich has essentially no chance of recovery.
Investigations Launched
Arizona State University’s police department has opened a criminal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mayich’s collapse, focusing on evidence collection and witness protection, while the university’s own review, led by athletic director Graham Rossini, emphasizes that it is a routine response to a serious campus injury.
Mayich transferred to ASU after a freshman season at Clarkson University in New York and was selected in the 2023 NHL Draft, raising concerns about the safety of training practices at the collegiate level as the 2026‑2027 season prepares to open on October 2.