NHLSep 30
Arizona State Places Greg Powers on Leave After Players Raise Concerns
The move follows a player letter challenging the university’s review of the workout in which Matthew Mayich collapsed.
By OddsListing wire desk
· 2 min read
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Leadership change before opening games
Arizona State announced Wednesday that hockey coach Greg Powers has been placed on paid administrative leave amid scrutiny of a workout that left defenseman Matthew Mayich hospitalized. Athletic director Graham Rossini described the decision as a step toward stabilizing the program. Assistant coach Mike Corbett will oversee the opening games at Lindenwood this weekend, with an interim head coach to be appointed soon. The move came after seven players sent the university a letter Monday disputing its review of the Aug. 20 workout and seeking administrative leave for all staff responsible.
Players describe retaliation fears
The players submitted their letter anonymously, saying they feared retaliation from coaches who control playing time, scholarship levels and roster decisions. They said Powers and his assistants were present during the workout. According to the players’ account, Powers minimized Mayich’s condition after he collapsed and later portrayed his exertion as progress toward the team’s competitive goals. They also alleged that players were instructed to leave the hospital to avoid attracting attention. Their attorney identified Powers as the person who gave that instruction. Mayich family attorney Robert Carey argued that placing only Powers on leave did not adequately protect players while other staff members, including associate coach Alex Hicks, remained. The university declined to comment on Hicks’ behalf or explain why the leave decision applied only to Powers.
Medical condition and review findings
Carey said Mayich has remained hospitalized since Aug. 20 and is unlikely to recover. According to Carey, exertional heat stroke reduced oxygen flow to Mayich’s brain. The university’s review found that coaches had not submitted a training plan for advance review. It also found that Tim Ziesel, the Green Beret who led the workout, had no contract with the school. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference supported Arizona State’s decision, emphasizing player welfare and the need to thoroughly examine the athletes’ concerns.
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