Greg Powers commented on the situation with hockey player Matthew Maich
24 september 2026 в 12:37
The head coach of the Arizona State University hockey team, Greg Powers, met with reporters for the first time on September 23 after the hospitalization of team player Matthew Mayich, who lost consciousness during practice. Powers noted that this is a difficult time for the entire team and that the team’s thoughts and prayers are with Matthew and his family.
Mayich, who is 21 years old, suffered a heat stroke during practice on August 20 and has been in the hospital since then. According to the family’s attorney, Robert Carey, the hockey player has «zero chance of recovery». Powers added that the university is providing support to student-athletes and staff, and that the team is trying to support each other during this challenging time.
The coach emphasized that the police investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing; however, the university released a report on September 22 regarding the practice conducted by former special forces member Robert Zizel. The report states that no plan for outdoor practice was presented to the strength and conditioning coaches, although all student-athletes, including Mayich, were allowed to participate.
Arizona State University will now conduct a comprehensive review of its practices to determine and implement best practices for planning and conducting sporting events, as well as responding to emergencies. However, Carey expressed dissatisfaction with the report, claiming that the practice was a punishment and that the coach did not stop it when signs of danger appeared. He also noted that, according to the university, the practice was supposed to last ninety minutes but was shortened to forty-five, while Mayich was on the field for over eighty minutes without sufficient water and preparation.
Mayich, who is 21 years old, suffered a heat stroke during practice on August 20 and has been in the hospital since then. According to the family’s attorney, Robert Carey, the hockey player has «zero chance of recovery». Powers added that the university is providing support to student-athletes and staff, and that the team is trying to support each other during this challenging time.
The coach emphasized that the police investigation into the circumstances of the incident is ongoing; however, the university released a report on September 22 regarding the practice conducted by former special forces member Robert Zizel. The report states that no plan for outdoor practice was presented to the strength and conditioning coaches, although all student-athletes, including Mayich, were allowed to participate.
Arizona State University will now conduct a comprehensive review of its practices to determine and implement best practices for planning and conducting sporting events, as well as responding to emergencies. However, Carey expressed dissatisfaction with the report, claiming that the practice was a punishment and that the coach did not stop it when signs of danger appeared. He also noted that, according to the university, the practice was supposed to last ninety minutes but was shortened to forty-five, while Mayich was on the field for over eighty minutes without sufficient water and preparation.
© Kolganov Andrey
