Arizona State University has placed men's hockey head coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave as the school continues its investigation into a workout that left player Matthew Mayich in a coma. Athletic director Graham Rossini announced the decision on Thursday, noting that Powers was placed on leave the previous day.
Mayich, a sophomore and St. Louis Blues prospect, has been in a coma since August 20, the date of the team workout run by an ex-Army Green Beret. Rossini stated in a statement that the university's focus remains on Mayich and his family, as well as ensuring support for student-athletes as the season begins. He added that the administration has continued to collect information and determined that removing Powers was the best move to provide stability for the hockey program.
Powers has led the Sun Devils since the program debuted at the Division I level for the 2015-16 season. Assistant coach Mike Corbett will serve as the on-ice coach when Arizona State opens its season against Lindenwood University, with an interim head coach to be named at a later date.
The administrative action follows a 26-page letter sent to ASU President Michael Crow by seven members of the hockey program. The players disputed certain findings of the school's initial review through their attorney, pointing out that the entire coaching staff was present at the August 20 workout and remained in their positions afterward. The letter argued that the coaching staff controls playing time, scholarship levels, and roster status, and that no one had separated them from their coaches since the incident. The players wrote that they should not have to choose between telling the truth about August 20 and keeping what they have worked for.
Mayich, 21, remains hospitalized. His family's attorney, Robert Carey, stated that he has zero chance of recovery. The player transferred to Arizona State after playing at Clarkson University last season and was selected by the Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft.