Arizona State hockey coach placed on paid leave as investigation into tragic workout continues

Arizona State University has placed men’s hockey head coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave while it investigates an August workout that left player Matthew Mayich in a coma. The move comes as the team prepares to start its season and follows players’ concerns about the school’s initial review.

Mayich, a 21-year-old sophomore and St Louis Blues prospect, has been in hospital since the workout, which was run by a former Army Green Beret. Seven members of the programme disputed aspects of the initial review in a 26-page letter, saying the coaching staff had remained in place and that players feared repercussions for speaking out. Assistant coach Mike Corbett will lead the team against Lindenwood, with an interim head coach to be named later; Mayich’s family lawyer says he has “zero chance of recovery”.