With reports of ASU hockey player Matthew Mayich's status looming, ASU hockey will continue with its 2026-27 season as scheduled, set to begin Oct. 2 on the road against Lindenwood.
Ahead of a season to be played under unforeseen circumstances, coach Greg Powers addressed the media for the first time at NCHC media day Wednesday.
Powers opened with a statement stating the past month has been a "very difficult time for everybody in our program," and that, due to the ongoing investigation, he was unable to answer further questions about Mayich.
ASU hockey has been in national headlines since Aug. 20 after Mayich was hospitalized following a team workout where he collapsed.
READ MORE: BREAKING: ASU hockey player still hospitalized after collapse in team exercise Thursday
Initial findings of ASU's investigation
On Monday, ASU released its initial findings in the investigation, providing additional context to what the workout was and specifics to Mayich's situation.
During the workout, Mayich appeared to struggle while running with a medicine ball, then dropped it and fell to the ground, the report said. He attempted to get up to continue to run, but fell to his knees.
According to the report, the athletic trainer and other members of the team encouraged Mayich to stay on the ground.
"While Matthew was initially responsive, his condition deteriorated," the report stated.
Also attached in the report from ASU was the school's heat illness guidelines.
"Have a cold tub half-filled with water and prepared before event so that it can be used immediately if necessary," the guidelines stated. "Also have 3-4 coolers of ice next to the tub to quickly use in case of emergency."
Despite the guidelines, there is no mention of a cold tub in the series of events.
"The trainer assesses Mayich's condition and begins to provide treatment, including applying iced towels and pouring cool water on him," the timeline said.
Since being hospitalized, his health has reportedly declined. According to Leonard Aragon, a partner at Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro law firm who has been representing the Mayich family, Mayich has "no chance of recovery."
Powers and Muthersbaugh speak about season
Junior forward Ben Muthersbaugh, who was named an alternate captain earlier this week, sat alongside his coach during media day and addressed the hockey season and the feeling in the locker room.
"It's been a tough time around here," Muthersbaugh said. "You can't plan for the unexpected. So it's been tough for a lot of guys that are 18-24 years old to go through something like this and especially with someone who was going to be one of our brothers and one of our best friends"
Muthersbaugh also credited the coaching and support staff at ASU in helping the team prepare for the season.
After Muthersbaugh spoke for less than 10 minutes, Powers fielded questions from the media. Despite his opening statement – and the requests of an NCHC media representative – most questions related to Mayich in the 20-minute span that Powers was available to interview.
After many responses that boiled down to "I decline to answer," Powers gave some insight into how he has addressed his team during the difficult time.
"We've met as a team quite a bit," Powers said. "The focus has been making sure that we are providing every resource that we can to help our players and our staff and help everybody get through this and just be here to support each other. I wouldn't say we've had more meetings than normal ... but we've developed a very tight-knit group, and you can feel it, especially with the guys."
With a hockey game under two weeks away, the ASU locker room is no easy place to be.
While people online hurl controversial opinions, some of which are targeted at members of the coaching staff, the group that has to bear the burden of going out on the ice for the season is the players. In the month since Mayich was hospitalized, Powers said he has been impressed with the way his team handles itself.
"How well they support each other," Powers said. "How thoughtful they've been towards Matthew and his family. Making sure that everybody in the program is now focused and playing for a much higher purpose. The guys just have been so close and so tight-knit. I know they spend pretty much every minute of every day together."
Despite the unity of his team, Powers seems unable to get away from the obvious story that has dominated coverage of his hockey team for the past month.
While many reporters were shut down when asking questions about Mayich, Powers gave the time of day to one question. After being asked about ways in which he has modeled accountability over the past month, his response was very short.
"In a lot of ways," Powers said before refusing to expand.
Edited by Senna James, Emilio Alvarado, Kate Gore and Sophia Keeling.
Reach the reporter at aswift10@asu.edu and follow @alexswiftsports on X.
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