Home / Sports / Hockey Player's Faith Fuels Family Hope Amidst Collapse
Hockey Player's Faith Fuels Family Hope Amidst Collapse
18 Sep
Summary
- Family finds solace in faith and prayer following collapse.
- ASU faces scrutiny over potential policy violations during workout.
- Investigation questions trainer vetting and heatstroke treatment protocols.
Matthew Mayich, a promising 21-year-old hockey player, is in critical condition at Barrow Neurological Institute after collapsing during an outdoor workout at Arizona State University. His family, deeply rooted in their Catholic faith, has placed sacred symbols near him, praying for his recovery. They shared their journey on Sept. 17, detailing the 29 days since Mayich was placed on life support due to exertional heatstroke.
An investigation by The Arizona Republic has uncovered potential policy violations by ASU related to the workout. The university's own policies for gradual heat acclimatization and immediate cold water immersion for heat illness appear to have been disregarded. Matthew Mayich was reportedly left on the ground for several minutes before being moved to shade, and a volunteer trainer lacked proper vetting and authorization.
The family's lawyer has requested outside law enforcement agencies take over the investigation, accusing ASU of mishandling it. Despite these concerns, university administrators have remained silent. Mayich, a sophomore from Stoney Creek, Ontario, was a notable player drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 2023 and a transfer student at ASU.
