What Happened to Matthew Mayich? Family Says NHL Prospect Has 'Zero Chance of Recovery' After ASU Workout Collapse

NHL prospect Matthew Mayich remains hospitalised after collapsing during an outdoor team workout at Arizona State University, with his family's attorney now saying the 21-year-old has 'zero chance of recovery' as questions intensify over what happened that morning.

Mayich collapsed on 20 August during an off-ice workout at ASU's Joe Selleh Track in Tempe. He was taken to hospital and later transferred to Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix. His family has since criticised the university's handling of its review and is seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding his medical emergency.

What Happened to Matthew Mayich During the Workout?

Mayich was taking part in a military-style conditioning session involving sprints and other exercises when he collapsed.

The workout reportedly lasted around an hour and included sprints, planks, push-ups and bear crawls. Players who failed to complete certain exercises or fell behind were reportedly required to perform additional drills.

Arizona was under an extreme heat warning on 20 August, while temperatures around the time emergency crews responded were reportedly between 87 and 89 degrees Fahrenheit. Authorities initially responded to a call concerning a heat-related illness. However, a definitive cause of Mayich's medical emergency has not been publicly established.

'Zero Chance of Recovery'

Attorney Robert Carey, who represents Mayich's family, told The Arizona Republic that the hockey player has 'zero chance of recovery.'

Carey has challenged accounts suggesting the workout was relatively routine, saying information gathered by his team paints a different picture. He described the session as 'grueling, onerous and dangerous,' according to The Athletic.

Carey also alleged that Mayich showed signs of distress and struggled before collapsing. He said the family deserves a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The family's legal team plans to seek communications and other records connected to the workout, including text messages and videos.

Matthew Mayich's Family Questions ASU Investigation

Carey has accused Arizona State of failing to handle its review responsibly and called for members of the hockey coaching staff to be placed on administrative leave while the circumstances are examined.

ASU has said it is reviewing what happened during the workout. The university has not publicly identified Mayich, citing privacy considerations.

Carey has argued that temporarily removing staff members would help protect the integrity of the process as players and others are interviewed.

Who Led the ASU Hockey Workout?

The session was led by Tim Ziesel, a former Green Beret who was not employed by Arizona State and had previously worked with the hockey programme. His lawyer, Buddy Rake, has disputed claims that the workout was excessively demanding.

Rake said Ziesel had finished his portion of the session and left before Mayich collapsed. He also said ASU coaches, assistant coaches and medical personnel were present.

Who Is Matthew Mayich?

Mayich, from Stoney Creek, Ontario, transferred to Arizona State after beginning his college hockey career at Clarkson University.

The 6-foot-3 defenceman recorded seven goals and eight assists in 34 games during his freshman season at Clarkson. Before college, he spent four seasons with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League.

The St Louis Blues selected Mayich in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. As he remains hospitalised, members of his home community have rallied around him, including through a virtual prayer service organised by the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce.