Matthew Mayich, a promising 21-year-old defenseman for Arizona State University and a recent draft pick by the St. Louis Blues, is currently hospitalized after collapsing during a workout nearly two weeks ago. The incident occurred on August 20, during an outdoor practice session on the first day of the fall semester, raising serious concerns about the conditions under which the athletes were training.
According to attorney Rob Carey, who is representing Mayich's family, the young athlete's condition remains precarious, and there is little hope for improvement. "He is twenty-one years old," Carey stated in an interview with The Associated Press. "His family is at his side, and they are grateful for the support they’ve received from the hockey community and from Matthew’s teammates." This incident has sparked a wave of concern and scrutiny regarding athlete safety, especially in the context of rigorous training schedules.
Mayich, who was selected 170th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2023 NHL Draft, was participating in an outdoor workout that was described by Carey as particularly strenuous, especially for athletes who had not yet acclimated to the hot desert climate of Arizona. The practice reportedly lasted over an hour with only one water break, which Carey deemed inadequate for the conditions. He characterized the workout as "onerous" and "grueling," suggesting that the setup was ill-suited for a first outdoor session of the season.
In light of the incident, Arizona State University has stated it will conduct a comprehensive review of the circumstances surrounding the workout. Athletic director Graham Rossini emphasized that the review is not an investigation suggesting wrongdoing but rather an effort to understand the facts and context of the event. However, Carey has called for an independent investigation, urging the university to place involved personnel on administrative leave and to clarify who authorized the workout.
Carey expressed concerns about the oversight of the practice, stating, "ASU’s only statement so far was to note that coaches and trainers were present to support their claim that this workout was nothing unusual. It doesn’t. It just means ASU’s own people stood there and watched exactly what they dialed up, and had no problem with it." He further indicated that there may have been awareness among university staff regarding the potential risks to the student-athletes.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus for Mayich's family remains on his recovery and well-being. Carey noted, "Our focus right now is on our own investigation into what happened on August 20th. Only when that is complete will we discuss the options available to the family. The family’s focus is on doing everything that can be done for their son and holding each other together."
Before transferring to Arizona State, Mayich played four seasons with the Ottawa 67’s in the Ontario Hockey League and spent the previous season at Clarkson University. His transition to Arizona State marks a significant step in his hockey career, and the circumstances surrounding his hospitalization have raised critical questions about athlete safety and training practices in collegiate sports.
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