Tag: during

IHM NHL News: Radko Gudas receives warm Anaheim return ovation

Radko Gudas receives warm Anaheim return ovation

Story Summary

Radko Gudas received a strong ovation from Anaheim Ducks fans during his return to Honda Center with the Florida Panthers. The veteran defenceman spent three seasons with Anaheim before being traded over the summer and was recognised during a break in play with a video tribute on the arena screen. Gudas acknowledged the crowd by waving to fans.

The reception marked a warm return for a player who appeared in 203 games for the Ducks and served as their captain for his final two seasons with the club.

Key Facts

  • Radko Gudas returned to Anaheim as a Florida Panthers defenceman.
  • Ducks fans gave Gudas a strong ovation at Honda Center.
  • Anaheim recognised Gudas with a short video during a break in play.
  • Gudas waved to acknowledge the crowd.
  • He played 203 games across three seasons with the Ducks.
  • Gudas was Anaheim’s captain for his final two seasons with the club before being traded over the summer.

IHM Discussion

The tribute reflected the standing Gudas built during his Anaheim tenure. Serving as captain over his final two seasons placed him in a prominent role within the club, while his 203 appearances gave supporters a substantial body of work to remember.

For a visiting player, a mid-game recognition can be a brief but meaningful acknowledgement of a previous chapter. Gudas’ wave kept the moment simple, with the crowd response supplying the central emotion of the occasion.

Why It Matters

Gudas’ reception showed that his time in Anaheim continues to carry significance for Ducks supporters. His return also provided a visible connection between his former leadership role in Anaheim and his current place with Florida.

Coach Mark Comment

A tribute during play can briefly shift the atmosphere, but Gudas handled the occasion efficiently: acknowledge the crowd, then return attention to the game. For a defenceman accustomed to demanding minutes and a leadership role, that composure matters in keeping an emotional homecoming from becoming a distraction.

ASU investigating Matthew Mayich collapse during workout

Story Summary

Arizona State University is investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse and hospitalisation of Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old defenceman on the ASU hockey team. The university confirmed a student-athlete collapsed during an outdoor exercise last Thursday and remains hospitalised while ASU reviews the workout; it has not said whether the session was sanctioned by the hockey programme. Mayich was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues but has not signed an entry-level contract. He spent the 2025-26 season at Clarkson University and announced he would transfer to Arizona State for 2026-27 after four seasons with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s.

Key Facts

  • Arizona State University is investigating the circumstances around Matthew Mayich’s collapse last Thursday.
  • ASU vice president of media relations Chris Fiscus said the student-athlete remains hospitalised and is not being named by the university because of privacy interests.
  • Fiscus said the university is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the workout but did not say whether the workout was sanctioned by the ASU hockey team.
  • Tempe Fire Medical Rescue responded to Sun Angel Stadium at 8:31 a.m. on Thursday after a report of a ‘heat-related illness’; a patient was treated and transported to hospital, according to the fire department.
  • Mayich, 21, is a defenceman on the Arizona State hockey team and was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues.
  • Mayich has not signed an entry-level deal with St. Louis.
  • He played freshman college hockey at Clarkson in 2025-26, scoring seven goals and 15 points in 34 games.
  • Mayich announced at the end of the 2025-26 season that he would transfer to Arizona State for 2026-27.
  • Before college, Mayich spent four seasons with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s.

IHM Discussion

The facts are straightforward: a student-athlete collapsed during an outdoor exercise, emergency services treated and transported the patient, and the university is now conducting a review. Because ASU has declined to name the player for privacy reasons, the details released so far are limited to the timing, location and the university’s ongoing review. That restraint keeps medical specifics and protocol details out of public record until ASU or the player choose to disclose more. From an NHL perspective, Mayich remains a Blues draft pick who has not signed an NHL contract; his immediate priority, per the public record, is medical care and the university review.

Why It Matters

Player welfare is the immediate concern: a collapse during an outdoor workout, followed by hospitalisation, raises questions about on-site medical response, environmental conditions and oversight of training sessions. For St. Louis and NHL followers, the incident temporarily clouds the immediate availability and development path of a 2023 sixth-round pick who was due to move into a new college programme. For Arizona State, the review could influence training protocols and how the programme manages off-ice and outdoor conditioning.

Fan Pulse

Fans and observers typically respond to incidents like this with concern and calls for clarity. Given Mayich’s status as a recent transfer and a drafted prospect who has not signed an NHL contract, supporters of both his former clubs and prospective professional followers will be watching for updates from ASU and the player’s representatives. Social reaction often focuses on health and safety protocols rather than roster implications until more medical information is available.

Mini Q&A

Who is Matthew Mayich?

Mayich is a 21-year-old defenceman and a member of the Arizona State hockey team; he was drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues and has not signed an entry-level deal.

What happened to him?

He collapsed during an outdoor exercise last Thursday, was treated by Tempe Fire Medical Rescue at Sun Angel Stadium and transported to a nearby hospital; ASU says the student-athlete remains hospitalised.

Is the university investigating?

Yes. ASU says it is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the workout that led to the collapse, and the university has not confirmed whether the workout was sanctioned by the hockey team.

What is his recent playing history?

Mayich played his freshman season at Clarkson in 2025-26, registering seven goals and 15 points in 34 games; he announced he would transfer to Arizona State for 2026-27 after four seasons with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s.

Has he signed with the St. Louis Blues?

No.

Coach Mark Comment

From a coaching perspective the priority is clear: medical evaluation and player welfare come first, followed by a careful, medically supervised return-to-play process if and when clearance is given. Teams and staff will review how the session was organised, ensure emergency procedures are robust and avoid speculation until the university’s review provides facts.

What Comes Next

ASU’s review of the circumstances surrounding the workout and the university’s decision on whether to release more information; further official updates on the student’s condition if and when the university or authorised representatives choose to disclose them.

IHM Final View

The situation remains developing and firmly centred on player health. The public facts confirm a collapse, emergency treatment and an institutional review; until ASU or the player provides further detail, the priority for all parties should be care, clear communication and a methodical investigation of the workout and response.