Tragedy on Ice: ASU Hockey Coach on Leave After Player's Catastrophic Injury

Arizona State University's men's hockey program is currently navigating through incredibly turbulent waters. The university recently announced that Head Coach Greg Powers, a long-standing figure in the program, has been placed on paid administrative leave. This drastic step comes in the wake of a truly devastating incident in August 2026, which left sophomore player Matthew Mayich in a critical, life-altering condition.

It all began on a sweltering August 20, 2026, at Sun Angel Stadium on ASU's Tempe campus. What was intended as a routine team workout tragically escalated into a nightmare. Matthew Mayich, a promising St. Louis Blues prospect drafted 170th overall in 2023, collapsed during the session. Since that harrowing day, he has remained non-responsive, battling the severe consequences of exertional heat stroke, which, devastatingly, caused a profound lack of oxygen to his brain. His family's attorney, Robert Carey, has painted a grim picture, stating that Matthew, originally from Hamilton, Canada, has a "zero chance of recovery," a truly heartbreaking prognosis.

The pressure on the university to act has been immense, stemming from multiple directions. Just days before Powers' official leave, on September 28, 2026, a group of seven anonymous ASU hockey players, represented by attorney Tim Casey, sent a blistering 26-page letter to ASU President Michael Crow. These players reportedly disputed the university's initial internal review and, critically, demanded that the coaching staff be placed on leave pending a truly independent investigation. Their allegations are incredibly serious: they claim Matthew received "no water" during that grueling outdoor workout and that crucial heat-safety procedures were utterly neglected. What's more, they allege a shocking 17-minute delay in effectively cooling him down after his collapse. To add another layer to this unfolding tragedy, the workout itself was reportedly conducted by an ex-Army Green Beret.

Responding to the gravity of the situation, ASU Athletic Director Graham Rossini officially announced Powers' paid leave on September 29, 2026. The university's internal review had already flagged a significant procedural lapse, indicating that no training plan for the August 20th workout had been submitted for approval beforehand. For the Mayich family – Matthew's parents, John and Christina – this step, while significant, isn't enough. They issued a poignant statement on September 30, 2026, unequivocally calling for the immediate removal of all coaches during the ongoing, independent investigation. You can only imagine their pain and their urgent desire for answers and accountability.

Powers, who has led the ASU program since its Division 1 debut in the 2015-16 season, publicly expressed his support for the university's decision, acknowledging the need for a comprehensive and thorough review. Even the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), a key governing body, has voiced its support for ASU's decision to place the coach on leave, pledging to remain in close contact with the university as the review unfolds. As the ASU hockey season is slated to begin on October 2, 2026, Assistant Coach Mike Corbett has stepped up to temporarily lead the team.

Meanwhile, the repercussions of this incident are clearly far-reaching. The Arizona Board of Regents, for instance, is scheduled to delve into the matter in a closed executive session on October 1, 2026, in Flagstaff. The entire situation remains deeply unsettling, with many questions still lingering. It’s a somber reminder of the critical importance of athlete safety and the profound responsibility that comes with coaching young individuals.