Mayich Family Shares Update, Asks for Prayers
The parents of the 21-year-old Arizona State defenseman spoke publicly about their son nearly a month after he collapsed during an outdoor team workout.
Matthew Mayich's parents have two requests. They want people to know who their son is, and they want them to pray for him.
The 21-year-old Arizona State defenseman and St. Louis Blues prospect arrived on campus last month after four seasons in the OHL with Ottawa and a year at Clarkson. Days later, on Aug. 20, Mayich collapsed during an outdoor team workout. He has been hospitalized since.
His father, John, said the family was told the workout was scheduled for early that day and that conditions were not good for it. "(Matthew) basically got heat stroke," he said. "(It) had nothing to do with his heart. He came in shape. He was 100 per cent ready to go this season."
Arizona State is reviewing the circumstances. A university spokesman said in an email Wednesday that "we expect to be able to update everyone on our review process in the coming days."
His mother, Christina, described a kid from Stoney Creek, Ont., who fishes every chance he gets, who would rather be home than out, who rarely turned down the neighbourhood kids when they knocked for street hockey.
"He brings joy to a room, bottom line," John said.
The family is in Arizona, along with Matthew's younger siblings Stephanie and Josh and his girlfriend of four years, Alexa. Messages have come from all over, including priests in Kenya and a man in England who mailed a stone and a Miraculous Medal, both of which now sit with Matthew in his room. Five friends flew down and stocked the room with fishing gear from Bass Pro.
The hockey world has reached in, too. Utah coach Andre Tourigny, who scouted Mayich while coaching the Ottawa 67's, has been in touch, as have Auston Matthews, Clayton Keller and the Xhekaj family. John Mayich and Jack Xhekaj, father of Arber and Florian, are longtime friends. Kim Xhekaj organized a vigil that drew roughly 25 current and former Arizona State players.
"We're taking it day by day," Christina said. "We're here praying hard, praying to our Lord for a miracle."
"He's a fighter," John said. "So we know that, and we're giving him every chance to survive."
