College Hockey Insider has learned additional details about the workout at Arizona State last week during which sophomore defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed and was hospitalized.
The Arizona Republic reported, citing a person close to Mayich’s family, that Mayich suffered what was described as a possible cardiac event and was in a coma.
College Hockey Insider previously reported that Mayich and the rest of the Sun Devils were participating in what multiple sources who were present described as a “military-style workout.” The workout was part of a program intended to build camaraderie and foster leadership among members of the team.
The program began around 7 a.m. MST and included approximately 45—50 minutes of exercise, interspersed with breaks during which a group instructor spoke to the players about leadership and communication. Players were provided water during those breaks, sources said.
Sources described the workout as “cadence-driven” and said it included “military-style calisthenics,” including push-ups, flutter kicks and runs on the track and across the field.
Sources said the session was not designed as a cardio test. Instead, the exercises were intended to be completed in cadence and in unison, with the instructor using a military-style approach to direct players through the workout.
As College Hockey Insider reported Wednesday, programs of this type are offered by companies across the U.S., including some led by former military members, and are marketed to athletic teams and businesses as a way to build camaraderie, leadership and team cohesion.
The exercises were designed to be completed as a group. At certain points, players were directed to hold push-up positions while group leaders asked whether the team was ready to move on. If the group was not ready, players were challenged to communicate with and lead their teammates before beginning the next exercise, sources said.
College Hockey Insider previously reported that Arizona State coaches were not directing the workout. Coaches and staff members were present and observing. Sources said staff members moved to assist Mayich when he began having difficulty completing one of the exercises. Medical personnel were on site throughout the workout, sources said.
Sources estimated that after roughly 35—40 minutes of exercise, the group took a break of approximately 10—15 minutes, during which the instructor spoke to the players about communication and leadership.
The workout took place during the morning, when temperatures were considerably lower than they would be later in the day. Historical Weather Underground data from Tempe recorded a temperature of 87 degrees at 7:51 a.m. and 89 degrees at 8:51 a.m. A separate nearby weather station previously cited by College Hockey Insider produced a heat index of approximately 91 degrees around the time Mayich collapsed.
For additional context, Arizona State’s women’s soccer team hosted Texas at 7 p.m. MST that evening. Weather Underground recorded a temperature of 104 degrees at 6:51 p.m. and 101 degrees at 7:51 p.m. Those comparisons provide context for the weather conditions that day but do not establish whether conditions during the morning workout were safe or played a role in Mayich’s medical emergency.
In addition, ASU’s football program has continued to practice outdoors in the morning before and after the incident involving Mayich, according to Sun Devil Source.
As of Thursday morning, Mayich remained hospitalized.
College Hockey Insider asked Arizona State officials Wednesday to confirm whether a third party directed the workout and whether it was military-style. A university spokesperson declined to address those questions directly and instead provided the same statement that had been shared with media outlets Tuesday.
“A student-athlete who collapsed during an outdoor exercise Thursday morning remains hospitalized,” the statement read. “The student-athlete, a member of the ASU hockey team, is not being named by the university because of privacy interests. The university is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the workout.”
Deacon Kevin Barron of the Catholic Community of Buffalo North has been leading prayer services for Mayich after being contacted by Mayich’s cousin. In an interview with The Arizona Republic on Tuesday, Barron said Mayich had suffered a possible cardiac event and was in a coma.
Mayich is a sophomore transfer who joined Arizona State for the 2026-27 season. He spent his freshman season at Clarkson after playing for the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL during his junior hockey career.
“Even though we are going through this heartbreak, it is truly such a blessing to see everyone praying and just the impact Matthew has had on so many people,” Mayich’s cousin, Victoria Beara, said during the prayer service, according to The Arizona Republic. “It’s in God’s hand. Please don’t stop praying and don’t give up.”