Arizona State University has placed men's hockey head coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave. The move follows an investigation into an August 20 team workout that left sophomore Matthew Mayich in a coma.
The August 20 workout and Greg Powers' administrative leave
Athletic director Graham Rossini announced on Thursday that Greg Powers was placed on leave the previous day to ensure stability for the Arizona State University hockey program. The decision comes as the university investigates the circumstances surrounding a team workout held on August 20, which resulted in a catastrophic injury to student-athlete Matthew Mayich. According to the report, Greg Powers has been the leader of the Sun Devils program since its Division I debut in the 2015-16 season.
While Greg Powers remains on paid leave,assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead the team during their season opener on the road against Lindenwood University. Arizona State University has not yet provided a specific timeline for when an interim head coach will be officially named to replace Powers during the investigation.
Matthew Mayich's status as a St. Louis Blues prospect
The severity of the situation is underscored by the profile of the injured athlete, Matthew Mayich. As reported by the source, Matthew Mayich was selected 170th overall by the St. Louis Blues during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft held in Nashville, Tennessee. The loss of such a high-profile prospect is a significant blow to both the Arizona State University program and the St. Louis Blues organization.
The medical outlook for the sophomore is grim. OutKick Sports has reported that Matthew Mayich has zero chance of recovery following the incapacitated state he entered after the demanding workout. family attorney Rob Carey has since demanded full accountability from Arizona State University athletic officials regarding the safety protocols in place during the session.
The 26-page letter sent to President Michael Crow
A critical piece of evidence in this unfolding scandal is a 26-page letter addressed to Arizona State University President Michael Crow. This document alleges that the entire coaching staff was present on the field during the August 20 workout. The letter argues that because these same coaches still control scholarship levels, roster status, and playing time, there is an inherent conflict of interest in the internal investigation.
The correspondence highlights a culture of apprehension within the program, stating that athletes and staff should not have to choose between telling the truth about the August 20 events and maintaining their professional or academic standing. This suggests that the investigation into Greg Powers and his staff may uncover deeper systemic issues regarding how the Sun Devils manage their student-athletes.
Who was the former Army Green Beret leading the drill?
One of the most concerning details emerging from the report is that the workout in question was not led by the coaching staff alone, but was run by a former Army Green Beret . This introduces a significant question regarding the university's vetting process for external trainers and whether the "demanding" nature of the workout exceeded the safety limits for collegiate hockey players.
Despite the gravity of the injury to Matthew Mayich, Arizona State University has not released specific details regarding the nature of the exercises performed or why a military specialist was tasked with leading a team workout. As the Sun Devils begin their season under Mike Corbett, the lack of transparency regarding the Green Beret's role remains a primary point of contention for the family of the injured player.
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