Arizona lawmakers seek independent probe of ASU hockey workout that hospitalised player

Arizona's House and Senate education committee chairs, Matt Gress and Hildy Angius, asked the Arizona Board of Regents on Monday to retain an independent investigator into an Aug. 20 Arizona State University hockey workout. 1 2 Player Matthew Mayich, a St. Louis Blues draft pick from Ontario, collapsed during the outdoor workout and remains hospitalised. 1 2 Family attorney Rob Carey said Mayich is under care at the Barrow Neurological Institute and has no chance of recovery. 2

Gress said ASU should not investigate its own conduct. 1 2 Seven anonymous players sent a letter disputing ASU's Sept. 21 internal report, saying the only water break lasted seconds and that Mayich showed distress before collapsing. 1 2 The players also said the Army veteran leading the session left before the final event, and that head coach Greg Powers called Mayich's condition a "little heat stroke". 2 1

ASU's report found an athletic trainer assessed Mayich, called 911 and moved him to shade, but it also acknowledged that no training plan was submitted and that he had inadequate hydration and medical care, according to Fox News. 2 1 Mayich's parents asked ASU's president to place the coaches on leave during an independent investigation. 2 ASU police are investigating, and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said her office will review the matter afterwards. The lawmakers asked the Regents to respond by Oct. 9. 2 1