Arizona State hockey coach Greg Powers declined questions about the Aug. 20 workout after which player Matthew Mayich was put on life support. In his first news conference since the incident, on Sept. 23, Powers said he believes he is right for the job.
Mayich collapsed during the team activity, suffered exertional heat stroke and was hospitalized. His family attorney, Rob Carey, said Mayich is unlikely to recover. Powers reportedly brought in former Green Beret Tim Ziesel to help run a military-style workout on the first day of training camp. Arizona’s Family Sports reported that video it obtained showed Ziesel leading the session.
Powers cited nearly 20 years of building the program when asked whether he deserved to remain in the job. Asked about accountability, he said he had modeled it “in a lot of ways” but declined to elaborate. He is set to continue as coach when Arizona State opens with games next weekend.
