A letter sent anonymously to the president of Arizona State University by hockey team members challenges elements of the school’s formal inquiry regarding the circumstances preceding the collapse of Canadian NHL prospect Matthew Mayich.
The recently published university assessment, authored by ASU administrator James Rund, noted that the 21-year-old Hamilton native collapsed shortly before 8:30 a.m. on August 20 while training at Sun Angel Stadium in Tempe. The investigation additionally revealed that the hockey program’s coaches failed to present a workout plan for the training staff’s evaluation prior to the practice session.
According to the correspondence, the athletes chose to submit their message anonymously to ASU President Michael M. Crow on Monday via their attorney, Timothy J. Casey, due to concerns over potential backlash.
The document claims that Mayich was given no water throughout the high-temperature outdoor practice session last month, and demands that ASU suspend the training staff charged with authorizing, running, and overseeing the workout while an external probe is conducted.
The student-athletes pointed out in their communication that, as far as they are aware, no personnel have faced suspension, administrative leave, or disciplinary action, noting that the head coach responsible for hiring the guest speaker and organizing the training remains in charge of the program.
The message advocates for the temporary replacement of the coaching staff during the inquiry, should the documented details and subsequent findings warrant such a measure.
Additionally, on Monday, the Republican heads of the state legislature’s House and Senate education committees, Matt Gress and Hildy Angius, used social media platform X to demand an autonomous probe into the events of the August 20 practice. They confirmed in a press statement that they requested the Arizona Board of Regents hire an outside firm for the inquiry.
ASU Report Details Mayich’s Difficulties at the End of Training
While Rund’s findings assert that a hydration pause occurred roughly 20 minutes into the session to allow players to drink, the athletes’ letter contends that Matthew, along with numerous other teammates, never received any water.
Rund, who serves as ASU’s senior vice president of educational outreach and student services, mentioned that coaches requested authorization for Timothy Ziesel—who had previously addressed the hockey squad regarding team cohesion and leadership during the 2025-26 academic year—to participate.
Nonetheless, Rund indicated that the coaching staff failed to deliver a detailed agenda of the planned exercises for evaluation by the university’s strength and conditioning specialists prior to the workout.
As the session neared its conclusion, Rund’s report describes Matthew showing signs of distress before tripping, letting go of a medicine ball, and collapsing. He tried to stand and continue his run but collapsed down to his knees instead.
The administrator also declared that the university intends to assemble an advisory board of specialists to deliver safety guidelines and recommendations.
The letter from the team claims that when some members managed to get a drink, Ziesel stood nearby and remarked that he did not have access to water during military operations.
Additionally, the athletes are seeking clarification on 19 specific queries, such as:
- Which individual authorized Ziesel’s involvement with the players, and on what date?
- What was the reason for bypassing the strength and conditioning coach, whom head coach Greg Powers credits with managing team workouts, in the preparation of the August 20 session, and who authorized this omission?
- For what reason was there no designated person monitoring individual players for symptoms of heat exhaustion or impaired mental state?
- Was the squad’s medical doctor notified, and if they were not, why?
- Why did the university’s internal assessment utilize meteorological data from a remote weather station?
- Was there any confirmation of Ziesel’s credentials in first aid, CPR, and AED operation?
The Mayich Family Expresses Gratitude Toward Teammates
In a public message released on Tuesday afternoon through their attorney, Rob Carey, Matthew’s parents, John and Christina, conveyed their deep appreciation for their son’s teammates, stating that the frequent visits, messages, and constant thoughts have meant more to them than words can express.
The parents expressed their desire for the team to experience a successful season and promised to support them. However, they emphasized that the coaches in charge of the August 20 training session must be suspended during an outside investigation to uncover the facts, ensuring players are not subjected to intimidation from their superiors.
The team members outlined several specific demands in their letter, which include:
- The release of a documented determination regarding compliance with all guidelines of the External Consultants and Exertional Heat Illness policies during the August 20 workout.
- Placing the personnel involved in authorizing, running, and managing the training session on temporary leave while an outside investigation is completed.
- Directing the inquiry to an entity completely independent of the university.
- Receiving written guarantees that no student-athlete will face the loss of their athletic aid, place on the team, or playing opportunities for participating in the investigation, alongside robust safeguards against reprisal if their names become public.
When contacted for a response, Chris Fiscus, ASU’s vice president of media relations and strategic communications, informed CBC News on Tuesday afternoon that the institution would issue a statement later in the day. No statement had been received by the time this story was published.
Family Continues to Hope for a Miraculous Recovery
Last week, Carey reported that Matthew remained in a critical but stable state, adding that while the family continues to hope for a miraculous turnaround, there has been no major change in his condition. He noted that regardless of the outcome, they will not get back the same vibrant young hockey player and exceptional person who arrived in Arizona just a month ago.
Carey asserted that because there was no medical response plan or preparation in place when Matthew collapsed, the immediate treatment he received compromised his recovery prospects rather than aiding them.
He further pointed out that four weeks after the incident, no individuals have been identified, suspended, or terminated for breaching the exact safety protocols released by ASU, which instead proposed forming a new review board.
Between 2016 and 2020, Mayich competed in minor hockey with the Hamilton Huskies. In the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, he was chosen in the sixth round by the St. Louis Blues.
In a late August statement, St. Louis Blues President of Hockey Operations Doug Armstrong expressed that the entire franchise has Matthew Mayich in their thoughts, offering prayers for his recovery and well-being as he undergoes care in Arizona.
According to Armstrong, the team is also offering its profound support to his loved ones, companions, and fellow athletes throughout this challenging period.
