Arizona State hockey coach Greg Powers declined to answer questions about the team workout in which player Matthew Mayich collapsed on Aug. 20. Mayich suffered exertional heat stroke, was hospitalized and was later placed on life support, according to the report.
Rob Carey, an attorney for the Mayich family, said Mayich is unlikely to recover. The circumstances surrounding the workout have drawn questions about Powers’ role, including his decision to reportedly bring in a former Green Beret to help conduct a military-style session on the first day of training camp.
Powers spoke publicly about the incident for the first time at a news conference on Sept. 23. He was asked whether he should remain Arizona State’s head coach after the player’s hospitalization.
“There's obviously some things that have been said about me and I respect anything anybody has to say. But I believe I am the right guy, and 20 years of a body of work and building a program, almost 20 years now, I still believe that,” Powers said.
Katie Strang of The Athletic asked Powers why he was discussing hockey instead of the events that left Mayich on life support. Powers replied, “Again, just, not able to answer questions regarding it in any way.” When Strang later asked how he had demonstrated accountability to the team during the past month, Powers answered, “In a lot of ways,” but did not provide additional details.
