In 1st interview since player’s collapse, ASU hockey coach says he’s ‘the right guy’ for job

In his first interview session since transfer player Matthew Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout a month ago and was placed on life support, Arizona State University head hockey coach Greg Powers said Wednesday he believes he is the right person to lead the program going forward.

Powers and ASU find themselves in the national spotlight ahead of the Sun Devils’ Oct. 2 season-opening game at Lindenwood University. The coach’s appearance on a Zoom chat as part of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference’s virtual media days came two days after ASU released the initial report from an internal review conducted by Senior Vice President James Rund.

Powers declined to answer questions that were directly about the Aug. 20 incident. One of the questions he responded to was about whether he thinks he is still the right person for the job.

 

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“Yes, I do,” he said. “I know there are a lot of people and young men that have really positive things to say about their experience here and the relationship that we have that extends far beyond the game of hockey.

“There’s obviously some … things that have been said … about me and I respect anything anybody has to say. But, yeah, I believe that I am the right guy, and 20 years of a body of work in building a program, almost 20 years now, I still believe that.”

What did ASU report say about workout where Matthew Mayich collapsed?

The report released Monday by ASU confirmed that the hockey team’s coaching staff got permission for Timothy Ziesel to speak to players but never submitted the former Green Beret’s training plans for review to the university’s strength and conditioning staff.

When asked Wednesday if he changed anything about training since Mayich collapsed, Powers said he doesn’t run workouts.

“Our strength and conditioning coach does, and our guys are here every day working hard and preparing their minds and bodies and each other for a season ahead,” he said.

Ben Muthersbaugh, the only player to appear along with Powers, answered a question about the players’ mood after what happened to Mayich.

“It’s been tough for a lot of guys that are 18 to 24 years old to go through something like this, especially with someone who was going to be one of our brothers and one of our best friends,” Muthersbaugh said. “But we still have a season to play for, and we’re playing for him.”

Muthersbaugh said a handful of players have visited Mayich in the hospital. Powers said he has spoken with Mayich’s family but declined to reveal any details about their conversation.

Attorneys for Mayich’s family have said his condition is irreversible.

ASU coach said school is providing ‘tremendous’ support

Mayich, 21, was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL draft and transferred to ASU during the offseason after spending his freshman year playing at Clarkson University in New York.

Powers opened Wednesday’s media appearance with a statement about Mayich, calling it “a very difficult time for everybody in our program.” He said the university has a “tremendous” support system in place for players and staff.

“For us, being with each other both at the rink and away from the rink is what is helping us most,” he said.

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