ASU Hockey Players Demand Coach's Removal After Disputing Official Report on Mayich Collapse

Key points

• Seven ASU hockey players sent an anonymous letter to President Michael Crow, demanding the removal of head coach Greg Powers and his staff due to fear of retaliation.
• The players dispute the university's report, claiming the August 20 workout lasted 75 minutes, not 45, and that Mayich received no effective water break.
• Mayich, a 2023 NHL draft pick, remains on life support with a catastrophic brain injury after collapsing during the session led by ex-Green Beret Timothy Ziesel.
• The players allege that Powers downplayed the severity of the incident, calling it a 'little heat stroke' and suggesting it helped the team's performance.
• Arizona state legislators have called for an independent investigation, while the Maricopa County Attorney's Office has agreed to review the ASU police report.

Background

This incident follows earlier reports in late August and September 2026, where Mayich was hospitalized after collapsing during an outdoor workout. Previous coverage noted that ASU's initial review found coaches failed to submit training plans but assigned no blame, while the family's attorney criticized the investigation as biased. Mayich, a defenseman from Stoney Creek, Ontario, had previously played for the Ottawa 67's and Clarkson University before transferring to ASU.

How outlets are covering it

OutKick and The Athletic emphasize the players' fear of retaliation and their demand for administrative leave, highlighting the contradiction between the university's report and the players' account of the water break. ABC15 and AZFamily focus on the specific discrepancies, such as the duration of the workout and the lack of cooling equipment, while noting the involvement of the Maricopa County Attorney. The Arizona Republic (via azcentral.com) frames the situation as a cover-up, with family attorney Robert Carey describing the university's response as 'inexcusable' and the players' letter as a necessary correction of a false narrative. All sources agree that Powers has refused to answer questions about the incident, maintaining his position as head coach.

Why it matters

The case raises significant questions about athlete safety, institutional accountability, and the power dynamics between student-athletes and coaching staff. The demand for an independent investigation and the involvement of state legislators indicate that the incident may lead to broader policy changes in college athletics regarding heat safety and external consultants.

What to watch

ASU is expected to respond to the players' letter and the calls for an independent investigation. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office will review the ASU police report, and the university must decide whether to place Powers on leave or appoint an interim coach before the season opener against Lindenwood on October 2.