On August 20, 2024, Matthew Mayich, a 21‑year‑old student‑athlete at Arizona State University, collapsed during a sanctioned outdoor workout, his body succumbing to heat exhaustion amid temperatures near 90°F and roughly 50% humidity.
Mayich, who was selected in the 2023 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues, had recently transferred from Ontario, Canada, to join the Sun Devil program, bringing his experience from youth hockey in North America to the collegiate level.
He was rushed to a hospital where he remains in a coma, with his family’s attorney Leonard Aragon confirming that medical scans show no detectable brain activity, a prognosis that has left his loved ones grappling with uncertainty.
The Sun Devil Hockey community, along with teammates and coaches, have issued statements of support, offering prayers and expressing solidarity with Mayich and his family during this challenging time.
Calls for an independent investigation
In response to the incident, Mayich’s family has requested an independent investigation, separate from any internal university review, while officials confirm that coaches, training staff and a third‑party instructor—identified as a former Green Beret—were present at the scene.
University leaders have pledged cooperation with any external inquiry, emphasizing a commitment to safety protocols and transparency as the campus community awaits further developments.