ASU players challenge account of Blues prospect Mayich’s collapse
Seven teammates seek an independent investigation and dispute Arizona State’s description of water breaks and emergency care at an August workout.
Seven Arizona State hockey players have challenged the university's preliminary account of the Aug. 20 workout at which Matthew Mayich collapsed. In a letter sent Monday to the university president, they asked for an outside investigation and for staff responsible for the session to be placed on leave, ESPN reported. Mayich is a St. Louis Blues draft pick who remains hospitalized.
The players allege Mayich had no chance to drink water during the workout. They say only one short break was available to players who had finished a drill, and that teammates saw him struggling before he collapsed. They also dispute the response afterward, alleging that he remained in the sun for several minutes and that no cold-water immersion equipment was on the field. These are allegations in the players' letter, reported by ESPN; they have not been established by an independent investigation.
Arizona State's preliminary report gives a different account. It says athletes were offered two water breaks, that an athletic trainer applied iced towels and water to Mayich, and that he was moved into shade while emergency responders were on their way. The university acknowledges that the coaching staff had not submitted the outside trainer's workout plan for review by its strength and conditioning staff. ASU says its investigation is ongoing and that it will review its outdoor-training and emergency-response practices.
The players submitted their letter anonymously, citing concern about retaliation. Their request for an independent inquiry is a new development since ASU released its preliminary findings last week.
