What started as a sad situation in Tempe, Arizona has turned ugly between Arizona State hockey's players and its administration.
Sun Devils defenseman Matthew Mayich, 21, collapsed on Aug. 20 and was hospitalized. The collapse occurred during a military-style workout employed by Arizona State coach Greg Powers, who called the team "soft" after dropping 10 of the last 12 games last season, amidst more colorful language. The workout was led by Tim Ziesel, 39, a former Green Beret who was seemingly tasked by Powers to help the Sun Devils reclaim a gritty identity.
Mayich remains in the hospital, with recovery unlikely according to the family's attorney following an exertional heat
stroke. He played junior hockey for four years in Ottawa and was drafted by the St. Louis Blues. He played his freshman year at Clarkson in New York.
After Mayich's collapse, a campus police investigation was opened into the workout that led to the incident. That investigation is still ongoing. Concurrently, Arizona State conducted an independent review that did not assign any blame upon the initial findings put out last week. Now, players are disputing the findings of that review, and want to see Powers placed on leave. Seven players sent a 26-page letter to Arizona State president Michael Crow, and the team did not practice on Sept. 29.
Arizona State hockey's opener vs Lindenwood is Oct. 2. The university will either have to dig its heels in and keep Powers off leave despite the controversy surrounding him, or admit its investigation was inadequate and acquiesce to the players' request.
Matthew Mayich, Greg Powers timeline
April 14, 2026: Matthew Mayich transfers to Arizona State
In a transaction posted April 14, Mayich officially transferred to Arizona State after one season at Clarkson. After four years playing for Ottawa in the Ontario Hockey League, Mayich decided to join a Sun Devils program coming off a down year. He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues 170th overall in the 2023 NHL entry draft.
Aug. 20, 2026: Matthew Mayich collapses during team's first workout
On Aug. 20, Mayich was hospitalized after collapsing during the team's first official workout of the season. It took place at Sun Angel Stadium, the team's outdoor multipurpose track facility. Per reports, Powers did not run this workout, instead letting former Green Beret Tim Ziesel take the reins. Mayich collapsed near the end of the workout, which has been reported to have lasted 45 minutes to an hour. Medical personnel arrived on the scene at 8:31 a.m., and Mayich was found to have had exertional heat stroke.
Sept. 2, 2026: Arizona State University Police Department confirms open investigation
Over a week after Mayich's collapse, an investigation by the Arizona State University Police Department was confirmed. The Mayich's attorney, Rob Carey, later pushed for an external investigation.
"Even a flawless investigation by ASUPD would be met with the objection that the University investigated itself," Carey wrote on Sept. 4.
Sept. 22, 2026: University's initial report finds no blame
On Sept. 22, 2026, Arizona State released its initial review into the incident, which assigned no wrongdoing and gave Powers runway to stay on the Sun Devils' bench.
The report indicated it will create a "blue-ribbon advisory panel" that would give guidance on outdoor workouts and non-university leaders such as Ziesel. Arizona State provided a summary of the day of the workout, which suggested multiple breaks and did not say anyone was to blame. The report did say the investigation was ongoing at the end. It was meant to be a three-day team exercise.
Carey responded strongly to the report.
“This report, it’s more advocacy than fact-finding,” Carey said. “It completely misses the point. I’m just blown away that they’re offering up a committee to come up with new policies. The problem is not that ASU lacked policies. The problem is, no one followed them. They literally violated every policy they have, and their conclusion is, ‘Let’s call for a blue-ribbon panel to tell us about policies?’ Mind-boggling. We’re a month later, and ASU’s report holds no one accountable.”
Sept. 23, 2026: Greg Powers dodges questions from Katie Strang
The Athletic's Katie Strang pressed Powers on the Mayich incident in a heated exchange. Powers did not provide any information of substance with regards to Mayich, and when Strang asked if he would answer any non-hockey questions, Powers said: "Again just, not able — not able to answer questions regarding it in any way." When Strang asked him how he modeled accountability, Powers replied "in a lot of ways" but failed to provide any examples.
Sept. 28, 2026: Seven Arizona State players write letter to ASU president asking to put Powers on leave
Clearly dissatisfied with the university's findings, seven Arizona State players wrote a letter to ASU president Michael Crow.
In the 26-page letter the players, who remained anonymous due to fear of retaliation from Powers, singled out the coach's response to Mayich's condition after his collapse.
They wrote Powers said it was "Just a little heat stroke" and "heat exhaustion" and said he had "seen this a million times." Players added that Powers reported good news the next day, including revitalized organ function and Mayich being "weaned off of sedation." Players made several further dissensions from the university's report as well, including the frequency of water breaks (players say they got one break 35 to 45 minutes into the workout that Mayich didn't participate in due to arriving late) and the aftermath of Mayich's collapse (the university found Mayich was told to "remain on the ground" whereas players said medical staff attempted to prop him up multiple times).
Sept. 29, 2026: Maricopa County says it will investigate upon conclusion of ASUPD investigation
After reports Maricopa County would not be investigating the matter further despite calls for an investigation outside of ASUPD, the county's attorney Rachel Mitchell said an investigation would occur upon the completion of ASUPD's.
"To be clear: My office has been working with ASU PD since day one of this investigation. We also have offered resources and other assistance," Mitchell said on X, formerly Twitter. "Once the investigation is completed by ASU PD, my office will review this matter at the highest level.
"It is not wise to be conducting separate and simultaneous investigations in this type of case. MCAO is a prosecution agency — we do not take over investigations from law enforcement."
Arizona lawmakers have also backed the players, with Representative Matt Gress (R) and Senator Hildy Angius (R) further calling for independent investigation and whistleblower protections.
The players did not practice with coaches on Sept. 29. When asked about the events of the day, an ASU spokesperson declined comment, referring to it as a "fluid situation."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona State hockey players revolt after Matthew Mayich collapse, demand coach's leave
