An attorney representing the family of a hockey player from Arizona State who collapsed during a workout in August says the player is "unlikely to recover" after complications from heat illness.
Matthew Mayich, 21, had already been drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2023, but he was still playing for the Sun Devils.
Carey was participating in his first practice with ASU, which was being let by a Green Beret and was not a typical hockey workout, according to News 12, which spoke with people who were present.
Related: Military-Style Workout Scrutinized After Arizona State Hockey Player's Collapse, Hospitalization
"Literally on day one of coach-led practice, they brought in a Green Beret who ground these kids to a pulp," said Mayich's family attorney.
Mayich collapsed during the workout. The call came in to Tempe Fire as a heat-related illness. At the time Mayich collapsed, temperatures were in the mid- to upper-80s.
"There was one water break, and it was only for the people at the front who, in that 15-second time, could get some water before they had to go on to the next task," Carey added. "But they were going from task to task with no rest in between, and whatever they were calling rest was actually more like an exertion."
Carey said the family has not filed a claim yet, but he prepared for one.
ASU released the following statement in response to Carey's comments:
A student-athlete who collapsed during an outdoor workout on Aug. 20 remains hospitalized. The student-athlete, a member of the ASU Hockey team, is not being named by the university because of privacy interests.
The morning outdoor workout was a team event at which coaches and training staff were present along with a third party who had previously worked with the ASU Hockey team. ASU has institutional guidelines and requirements relating to the engagement of outside entities who interact with ASU student-athletes and sport programs.
Sun Devil Athletics also has heat-illness guidelines in place; these guidelines are informed by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. SDA student-athletes regularly practice and train outside, under coach and trainer supervision.
ASU is reviewing all the circumstances surrounding the workout and the related university policies, procedures and training protocols. James Rund, senior vice president, is leading the review.
The review will take the time needed to collect and assess information in a manner that is thoughtful, respectful of the student-athlete, his family, his teammates and ASU’s privacy obligations. While the review is ongoing, Coach Powers and other SDA and university staff will continue to provide support and resources to the hockey student-athletes and to share information with them in a manner that respects the privacy of the student-athlete and his family.
