ASU, longtime hockey coach Greg Powers reach a deal for his departure

Former Arizona State University hockey coach Greg Powers, who supervised the near-fatal outdoor workout where player Matthew Mayich collapsed, will continue to be paid under the exit agreement made with the university.

Powers was neither fired nor resigned, according to university spokesperson Jay Thorne. He and the school came to “a mutual agreement to part ways.”

Thorne said the university was not disclosing specific dollar amounts that Powers would receive.

His contract contains a buyout provision. “He will be compensated under the buyout,” Thorne said.

Powers was put on administrative leave on Sept. 30 after a workout that left defenseman Mayich on life support, and family attorney Robert Carey said he has no chance of recovery.

ASU announced Powers’ departure almost two months after the near-fatal workout and about two weeks after several players accused the university of “whitewashing” events surrounding the Aug. 20 workout led by an ex-Green Beret.

“The university and Sun Devil Athletics are grateful for Coach Powers’ work to establish ASU as a Division 1 hockey program and for his service over the past nearly two decades,” the announcement from Thorne said.

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The university hired Colorado Avalanche assistant Dave Hakstol as the Sun Devils’ new head coach, effective immediately.

Powers had led the team since 2010, when the Sun Devils played in the American College Hockey Association. The team moved to NCAA competition in 2015. He made $450,000 annually, according to an ASU salary database maintained by the State Press, the ASU student newspaper.

Seven ASU hockey players who participated in the workout said the narrative of events put out by coaches, staff and administrators did not reflect “the cruelty and incompetency” of what happened before, during and after the first practice of the season.

The players, who came forward anonymously through an attorney, said water was used as a reward and breaks were denied to teammates who couldn’t keep up. They said Mayich received no water and showed signs of distress that coaches and the trainer ignored. They alleged the staff left Mayich lying on the ground while they treated him with water from a hose and wet towels.

The players said after Mayich collapsed, Powers minimized his condition and claimed he would be fine. They said he described Mayich as having “just a little heat stroke” and “heat exhaustion.” He told them he had “seen this a million times” and that Mayich “just needs an IV.”

The players and Mayich’s family have repeatedly called on the university to place the entire coaching staff on leave and to turn over an investigation of what happened to an outside law enforcement agency.

After the players spoke up, state and federal lawmakers called for an independent review of the workout. Arizona State University hired Scott Bales, a former state Supreme Court chief justice, to conduct an independent review. University officials announced the move Oct. 2, just hours before the Sun Devils team was set to take to the ice in its season opener.

Both Powers and the Mayich family issued statements Oct. 15 about Powers leaving his job.

An ongoing investigation by The Republic found multiple potential policy violations connected to the workout and Mayich’s collapse.

The Republic found Tim Ziesel, the ex-Green Beret, did not go through the required vetting process or sign standard forms before starting drills. He was invited by Powers to lead the team based on a meeting with coaches and a handshake agreement.

The Republic also found ASU did not appear to follow its own rules designed to protect students from exertional heat illness. The university didn’t follow its emergency guidelines after Mayich collapsed on the field, and he hadn’t gone through the standard heat-acclimation period for athletes prior to the workout.

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Powers issued a statement after ASU’s announcement about Mayich, the growth of hockey at the school and the future of the program.

“Firstly and most importantly, I continue to hope for strength and healing for Matthew and his family. Today I have mutually agreed to leave my position as Head Coach of Sun Devil Hockey. Against all odds, for almost two decades, so many of us have poured our hearts and our souls into building a Division I Hockey Program at Arizona State.

“I want to thank everyone who played a part in making this dream a reality. From our families, coaches/staff, donors, fans, and administration both past and present… Our program would not be where it is today without your unwavering dedication and support. To our Hockey alumni, I love you all so much… Unconditionally. A new chapter of Sun Devil Hockey now awaits. It is my hope that everyone will continue to support Sun Devil Hockey with the same passion and vigor that we all have to this point. I also wish Success, and pledge unwavering support to the new staff that has been chosen to push the rock forward to new heights. I love this program and always will. Go Devils and #BETHETRADITION.”

The Mayich family, through its attorney, asked that what happened at the workout continue to be investigated fully and rigorously and wished the new coaches well.

“Our focus remains where it has been since August 20, on Matthew, and making sure what happened to him is fully understood and never happens to another player. It seems more like a negotiated agreement than accountability, and so we believe Justice Bales’s investigation must continue with its full scope, gathering all digital evidence and covering everyone involved in that morning’s workout and in approving it, and its findings must be made public.

“Coach Powers’s departure should not limit his cooperation or anyone else’s, and the players who have spoken up must be protected. We wish Coach Hakstol, his staff, and the players a safe and successful season.”