Arizona State hockey star Matthew Mayich remains in a coma after he collapsed during an intense outdoor workout last week
Mayich, who was 21, suffered what investigators believe could have been a cardiac event during the session on Thursday morning in Tempe. Doctors continue to treat the former NHL draft pick at a local hospital as his family and teammates wait for updates
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The workout lasted about an hour and included sprints, planks, push-ups and bear crawls, according toThe Athletic. The report described the session as “both atypical and extreme.”
Ex-Green Beret Led Intense Session
Former Green Beret Tim Ziesel led the workout. Ziesel does not work for Arizona State and has declined to discuss the session. He told The Arizona Republicthat he “didn’t know the whole situation.”
The workout took place at Sun Angel Stadium amid extreme heat in Phoenix. Temperatures reached 106 degrees that afternoon, while the average temperature that day stood at 92.5 degrees
Players reportedly had to repeat instructions back to Ziesel and keep an accurate count during each exercise. Groups that fell behind or made mistakes allegedly had to complete extra sprints or exercises. The Athletic also reported that players received instructions not to complain
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The session ended with a medicine-ball run. Players had to run the length of a football field and return. Ziesel reportedly left before the group finished that exercise
Tempe Fire Medical Rescue crews received a call about a”heat-related illness” around 8:31 a.m. Crews treated Mayich at the scene before taking him to a local hospital
Arizona State confirmed that the university launched a review of the workout
Chris Fiscus, ASU’s vice president of media relations, said the university“is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the workout.”
An ASU spokesperson also said the school follows the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s heat guidelines. The university also has rules for outside groups that work with student-athletes
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Mayich transferred to Arizona State this offseason from Clarkson University. He started his college career at Clarkson after playing four seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s
The St. Louis Blues selected Mayich in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He attended two Blues prospect camps but never signed an entry-level contract
The Blues said the organization continues to support Mayich and his family
“The entire Blues organization is keeping Matthew Mayich close to our hearts as we pray for his comfort and recovery,” the team said
Mayich’s cousin, Victoria Beara, said the family feels grateful for the support
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“Even though we are going through this heartbreak, it is truly such a blessing to see everyone praying,” Beara told The Arizona Republic
He was one of 18 new faces joining the roster, an important detail, as NCAA heat safety guidelines warn that players adjusting to a new program and hotter climate are often at the highest risk
The post Shocking Details Emerge About Military-Style Workout That Left Blues Prospect In A Coma originally published on Total Pro Sports
