Arizona State University hockey player Matthew Mayich remains hospitalized in critical condition after suffering an exertional heat stroke during an outdoor offseason workout that has drawn intense scrutiny.
Mayich, a 21-year-old defenseman and St. Louis Blues NHL draft pick, collapsed last month on his first day of coach-led training after transferring to the university. A video has since surfaced from the session, which was run as a military-style workout by an outside consultant who was a former Green Beret.
According to the reporting, Mayich went down near the end of the hour-long workout during a “wind-down” run while carrying a 10-pound medicine ball. The family’s attorney said the session was a “punishment workout” and that water was withheld.
The hockey coaching staff did not submit the training plan to the university’s strength and conditioning staff, even though that review is required before an outdoor session can be held. ASU’s review found the temperature was in the high 80s, with relative humidity between 46-51%.
The attorney also said staff did not follow ASU’s heat-illness guidelines. The university requires an active cold-water immersion tub to be ready on-site for immediate emergency cooling, but instead trainers used ice towels and hose water before calling 911 as Mayich’s condition worsened.
The heat stroke caused a severe lack of oxygen to his brain, and his family’s attorney said he is highly unlikely to fully recover. Arizona State Police Department has opened an official investigation, which will be turned over to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for independent legal review.
Mayich remains on life support in stable but critical condition. His family confirmed he is comatose and said his condition is entirely exertion-related, not the result of an induced coma or a pre-existing cardiac event.
While acknowledging the extent of the brain damage, his family says they are still praying for a miracle. They have also asked the public to display yellow ribbons as a visible sign of support.
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