Matthew Mayich's condition has put Arizona State under intense scrutiny, while Blues head coach Jim Montgomery's organization watches a prospect in crisis.
The 21-year-old defenceman remains in a coma after collapsing during an outdoor Arizona State workout on August 20. His family's attorney, Robert Carey, says there is “zero chance of recovery.”
"College Hockey News has spoken to Matthew Mayich's family's attorney, Rob Carey. He confirmed Mayich has "zero chance of recovery" and that Carey is conducting his own investigation to determine next steps. He criticized Arizona State's handling of the situation. More to follow."
Carey has also challenged Arizona State's account of the workout, describing the university's version of events as “completely false” and demanding a “proper investigation.”
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Mayich had transferred to Arizona State after spending last season at Clarkson. Before college hockey, the Stoney Creek, Ontario native played four OHL seasons with the Ottawa 67's.
The workout lasted 50 minutes at Joe Selleh Track. Carey said players described an intense session led by retired Special Forces veteran Tim Ziesel, with demanding conditioning exercises and limited access to water for some participants.
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Carey said Mayich showed distress before going down, telling reporters he was “disoriented and struggled well before he collapsed.” That detail has become central to questions surrounding how the workout was handled.
Two sharply different versions of the workout: Prayers for Matthew Mayich
Ziesel's attorney, Buddy Rake, has pushed back against the family attorney's description. He said the workout was “far from it” when compared with the type of extreme military training Ziesel previously experienced.
Rake said coaches and medical personnel were present. The exercises reportedly included sprints, push-ups, flutter kicks, carrying teammates, and running with medicine balls.
Carey sees the session differently. He has described it as a "grueling, onerous, and dangerous workout” and wants Arizona State's coaching staff placed on administrative leave while the circumstances are examined.
That request raises the stakes beyond Mayich's medical condition. Carey wants players able to speak without concern about how their testimony could affect their standing inside the hockey program.
Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini has characterized the school's process as a review of what happened rather than an investigation into established wrongdoing.
For Mayich's family, the focus is now on accountability and obtaining a complete picture of the events leading up to his collapse.
The Blues drafted Mayich in the sixth round in 2023. His hockey future has now been overtaken by a far larger fight involving his condition, his family, and serious questions surrounding that August workout.
Should Arizona State place its hockey staff on leave during the investigation?
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