Mayich family wants ASU coaches removed during independent investigation

The parents of Matthew Mayich want the Arizona State coaches who ran the Aug. 20 outdoor workout where their son collapsed removed until an independent investigation is finished.

John and Christina Mayich released a statement Tuesday through family attorney Rob Carey. They backed a letter that seven Arizona State hockey players sent Monday to university president Michael Crow. The letter asked that the coaches involved be placed on administrative leave until an outside agency completes its investigation, with an interim coaching staff in place if they are. The players sent it anonymously through an attorney because they feared retribution from the coaching staff. The letter also pointed to discrepancies in an initial probe by the university.

"We've heard some things about what our family wants that aren't right, so we want to be clear: we want this team to have a great season and we'll be cheering for you," the Mayichs said. "But the coaches who ran that workout on August 20 need to be removed while an independent investigation gets to the truth. The players shouldn't have to worry about retaliation from the people they report to every day."

Mayich, a 21-year-old defenceman drafted by the St. Louis Blues, collapsed on the first day the NCAA allows official activities. Carey said Mayich suffered heat stroke that reduced the flow of oxygen to his brain and that he is unlikely to recover.

"Nobody should keep quiet about what they think should happen because they believe that's what we want. It isn't," the family said. "If anyone wants to know what we want, ask us. We want the truth, and we want it done in a way that lets the boys focus on hockey instead of wondering whether their coaches think they talked. Mostly, we want accountability for what happened to our son, and we want his teammates to be safe."

The Arizona State police department is investigating. When its report is complete, it will go to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for independent review.

In a letter to Carey dated Friday, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said her office has been in contact with ASU police since the start of their investigation and is waiting for the case to be submitted for review. She asked Carey to encourage cooperation with the police investigation.

The chairs of the education committees in Arizona's House and Senate have also called for an independent investigation after reading the players' letter.