Tag: Arizona State

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 2, 2026, 13:06 CEST

Story Summary

Arizona State University is in mourning after defenceman Matthew Mayich collapsed during a campus training session just over two weeks ago amid an intense heatwave. The 21-year-old was taken into intensive medical care and has been fighting for his life since. The family’s lawyer, Rob Carey, said there is ” zero percent chance of recovery” and has launched his own inquiry into what should happen next. Mayich is a prospect drafted by the Blues, who have conveyed their sorrow. The NCAA season begins in a month, and the programme and wider college hockey community are left facing difficult questions.

Key Facts

• Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old defenceman at Arizona State, collapsed during a training session on campus just over two weeks ago.
• The collapse occurred during a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 41°C and a 24-hour average of 33°C.
• Mayich has received intensive medical care since the collapse and has been fighting for his life.
• Family lawyer Rob Carey said there was “zero per cent chance of recovery” and said he had begun looking into the next steps.
• Rob Carey has been publicly critical of Arizona State’s handling of the situation.
• Mayich was drafted by the Blues, who have expressed sorrow at the news.
• The NCAA season is due to begin in a month, with the incident having shaken college hockey.

IHM Discussion

The reported details paint a bleak picture. A young, drafted player collapsed during a campus training session held during extreme heat and has since required intensive medical care. The stark prognosis relayed by his family’s lawyer focuses attention on Mayich’s welfare and the circumstances surrounding the collapse.

Carey’s criticism of Arizona State and his intention to examine the next steps mean the circumstances may face further scrutiny. The Blues have expressed sorrow, while the available information does not establish a medical diagnosis, internal timeline or the outcome of any review.

Why It Matters

The incident may raise questions about player welfare in extreme conditions and the responsibilities of collegiate programmes. With the NCAA season due to start in a month, Arizona State’s preparations and communication will draw attention.

Mini Q&A

Who is Matthew Mayich?

Matthew Mayich is a 21-year-old defenceman at Arizona State who was drafted by the Blues.

What happened to him?

He collapsed during a campus training session just over two weeks ago, during a heatwave, and has since been receiving intensive medical care.

What did the family lawyer say?

Family lawyer Rob Carey said there was “zero per cent chance of recovery”. He has also criticised Arizona State’s handling of the situation and said he was looking into the next steps.

What are the immediate implications?

Arizona State’s preparations and safety procedures may draw attention ahead of the NCAA season, due to begin in a month. The incident has also shaken college hockey.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching perspective, player welfare must come first in extreme conditions. Any review should establish the timeline and decisions around the session before conclusions are drawn. Clear, factual communication with Mayich’s family and the wider hockey community will remain important.

What Comes Next

Arizona State’s preparations and communication ahead of the NCAA season, due to begin in a month, will be closely watched. – Any further update from Rob Carey on the next steps in his inquiry will be significant.

By IceHockeyMan Editorial Team | Published: September 2, 2026, 07:33 CEST

Story Summary

Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old defenceman who transferred to Arizona State for this season and was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2023, remains hospitalised and incapacitated after collapsing during an on-campus outdoor workout on August 20. Rob Carey, an attorney representing Mayich’s family, said the player’s condition is highly unlikely to change and described the workout as “onerous” and “grueling”, alleging that signs of trouble appeared before the collapse. Arizona State has said it will conduct a thorough review. Athletic director Graham Rossini said the university was reviewing the facts and understanding the scenario, while Carey has called for an independent investigation and administrative leave for those involved.

Key Facts

• Matthew Mayich is a 21-year-old defenceman who transferred to Arizona State for the upcoming season.
• Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout on campus on August 20, the first day of the fall 2026 semester, when the NCAA first permits formal hockey activities.
• He remains incapacitated in hospital nearly two weeks after the collapse, and attorney Rob Carey said Mayich’s condition is ” highly unlikely to change.”
• Rob Carey is representing Mayich’s family and said the family is at his side and grateful for support from the hockey community and teammates.
• Carey described the August 20 outdoor workout as ” onerous” and ” grueling,” saying it lasted well over an hour with no rest and only one water break for some athletes.
• Carey said there were signs of trouble well before Mayich collapsed and criticised the presence of coaches and trainers who, he said, ” stood there and watched exactly what they dialed up.”
• Arizona State has said it will conduct a thorough review of the incident.
• ASU athletic director Graham Rossini said the university is ” reviewing the facts and understanding the scenario” and characterised the process as a review rather than an investigation.
• Carey has called for an independent investigation, for those involved to be placed on administrative leave, and for disclosure of who authorised and planned the workout.
• Mayich was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft but never signed an entry-level contract.
• The defenceman played four seasons with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s and spent last season at Clarkson University before transferring to Arizona State.
• Mayich is a native of Stoney Creek, Ontario.

IHM Discussion

The case centres on two connected but distinct issues: Mayich’s condition and the circumstances of the workout that preceded his collapse. The source establishes that he remains incapacitated in hospital, while Rob Carey, the attorney representing his family, said Mayich’s condition is highly unlikely to change. Carey described an outdoor workout on a hot desert day that lasted well over an hour, with no rest and one water break for some athletes. He argued that the session was unsuitable for players who had not been in the Valley for a full week. Arizona State has said it will conduct a thorough review, while athletic director Graham Rossini said the university was reviewing the facts and understanding the scenario. Carey is seeking an independent investigation and administrative leave for those involved, but the university has not announced either step. The medical cause of the collapse, the workout’s authorisation and any disciplinary outcome have not been established.

Why It Matters

The case brings player welfare into focus as teams resume organised activities. It raises questions about the planning and supervision of outdoor conditioning sessions in extreme heat, particularly when players are newly arriving in the area. Arizona State’s review may clarify the circumstances of the workout and any changes to its procedures. For the wider hockey community, the incident underlines the importance of appropriate safeguards during pre-season training.

Fan Pulse

Carey said Mayich’s family is grateful for the support it has received from his teammates and the hockey community.

Mini Q&A

Who is Matthew Mayich?

Matthew Mayich is a 21-year-old defenceman from Stoney Creek, Ontario, who played four seasons with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s, spent last season at Clarkson University and transferred to Arizona State for the upcoming season. He was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft but never signed an entry-level contract.

When and where did the collapse occur?

Mayich collapsed during an outdoor on-campus workout at Arizona State on August 20, the first day of the fall 2026 semester, when the NCAA first permits formal hockey activities.

What is Mayich’s current condition?

According to attorney Rob Carey, Mayich remains incapacitated in hospital nearly two weeks after the collapse, and Carey said his condition is ” highly unlikely to change.”

What does the family’s lawyer say about the workout?

Rob Carey described the outdoor workout as ” onerous” and ” grueling,” saying it lasted well over an hour with no rest and only one water break for some athletes, and that there were signs of trouble before Mayich collapsed.

What has Arizona State said?

Arizona State has said it will conduct a thorough review. Athletic director Graham Rossini characterised the university’s action as a review to ” understand the scenario.”

What actions is the family seeking?

Carey has called for an independent investigation, for those involved to be placed on administrative leave, for confirmation of who authorised the workout, and for disclosure of the planned details of the session.

Coach Mark Comment

The reported concerns point to the need for careful planning and close monitoring when teams train outdoors in extreme heat, especially early in a season. Conditioning work must be adjusted to the environment and to the players available on the day.

What Comes Next

Arizona State has said it will conduct a thorough review of the August 20 workout; that review is the primary upcoming checkpoint mentioned. Attorney Rob Carey said the family’s own investigation is ongoing and that the family will discuss options only after the family’s investigation is complete.

IHM Final View

Mayich remains incapacitated, and his family is seeking answers about the workout that preceded his collapse. Arizona State has promised a thorough review, while Carey is calling for an independent investigation. Until those processes establish further facts, the circumstances of the incident and any responsibility remain unresolved.