A collapse during a preseason workout
Matthew Mayich, a 21-year-old St. Louis Blues prospect, collapsed during an outdoor preseason workout at Sun Angel Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, on August 20 and was later placed into a coma. He remains hospitalized in critical condition, and his family's attorney said the prognosis for his recovery is devastating, with "zero chance" of recovery.
Mayich, a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft who was picked 170th overall, had just joined the Arizona State University Sun Devils following his freshman season at Clarkson University. He was entering his first season with the team when the incident occurred.
The workout and its conditions
The workout, which took place on the first day of the NCAA-authorized period for formal hockey activities, lasted approximately 50 to 60 minutes and included exercises such as sprints, pushups, planks, and bear crawls. Players interviewed by attorney Robert Carey said the session was especially draining, with the temperature around 86 degrees and humidity at about 51%. Emergency crews were sent to the stadium for a heat-related illness at approximately 8:31 , according to one report.
The session was reportedly led by Tim Ziesel, a former member of the military who is not an ASU employee. Players told Carey that the instructor yelled at them "like a drill instructor" and that they were not given standard breaks. Allegedly, only the players who led the exercises were guaranteed water, leaving little for those who trailed behind. Some players reportedly were forced to repeat exercises or do additional sprints if they lagged.
Mayich showed signs of distress before collapsing, according to Carey, who said the player "was disoriented and struggled well before he collapsed."
Family attorney's allegations and the university's response
Carey has been critical of the university's handling of the situation. In comments reported by The Athletic, he said the university has mishandled its investigation into what happened. "It's very clear to me that this is a time when adults have to do the right thing — sometimes the right thing is the hard thing — and from everything I can tell and the leads we have, ASU is not handling this responsibly," Carey told The Athletic.
Arizona State University has been asked about the workout, how it was set up, and how the university dealt with what followed. The university has called its response a review. Carey has raised concerns that the process is not independent enough and has called for members of the coaching staff to be placed on administrative leave pending investigation.
Arizona State confirmed that a student-athlete had collapsed and that an investigation was underway.
Ziesel's attorney defends the workout
Buddy Rake, an attorney for Tim Ziesel, insisted the workout was not beyond what a college athlete could handle. "There isn't a [Division 1] athlete on the planet that would describe this as a hard day of exercising, including the ASU hockey team," Rake told Phoenix's 12News.
Carey disputed that characterization, calling the workout "grueling, onerous and dangerous." He added, "A kid's life was basically ruined, the family is devastated."
Support from the St. Louis Blues
Blues president Doug Armstrong issued a statement of support for Mayich and his family. The organization has not commented on the specifics of the workout or the investigation.