PHOENIX – Arizona State hockey head coach Greg Powers spoke for the first time Wednesday since sophomore defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed during a team workout on Aug. 20. 

Powers, with junior forward and alternate captain Ben Muthersbaugh to his right, opened the virtual presser with a prepared statement about Mayich and the ongoing situation. 

“As you undoubtedly know, it’s a very difficult time for everybody in our program,” Powers said. “The players and coaches and staff who work with the team, we are all affected by what has happened.” 

Powers proceeded to shut down any further questions regarding Mayich’s status. 

“I know there will be more questions about Matthew (Mayich), and we won’t be able to answer those today,” Powers said. “I will open it up to questions regarding our season.” 

Even as some reporters persisted with questions about Mayich and the controversy surrounding his condition, Powers continued to decline to comment for the entire presser. 

“Respectfully, I decline to answer any questions regarding Aug. 20,” Powers said. 

Instead, the focus shifted to how ASU plans to set the investigation aside and give the Sun Devils the best chance to win moving forward. 

Powers sold the program to prospective recruits who may not have the most favorable opinion of ASU after the recent events. 

“We have an unbelievable university with, obviously, the opportunity to gain an incredible education,” Powers said. “A vibrant market, a beautiful campus, a beautiful arena, with people and support here that are here for our student-athletes.” 

Powers also stood tall in his own right, saying he can still be a part of a winning future for Sun Devil hockey.

“I think, in almost 20 years of doing this at this institution, I know there are a lot of people and young men that have really positive things to say about their experience here,” Powers said. “I believe that I am the right guy… I still believe that.” 

With the Sun Devils’ season-opener at Lindenwood just 9 days away on Oct. 2, ASU will continue its regular practice schedule to prepare for the 2026-27 campaign while also dealing with the current situation’s harsh reality. 

Powers said he has seen both sides of the spectrum from his team at practice in recent weeks. 

“We’ve had challenging days and we’ve had days where they come incredibly focused and excited to get on the ice together,” Powers said. “So it’s been a little bit of both.” 

Muthersbaugh detailed the mental challenges of drowning out outside noise to prepare for the season. 

“It’s been tough … to go through something like this, especially with someone who’s going to be one of our brothers and one of our best friends,” Muthersbaugh said. 

The dark cloud of Mayich’s collapse will surely loom over both the season opener and the Sun Devils’ home opener on Oct. 9 against Holy Cross, leaving Powers and ASU no choice but to focus on the task at hand on the ice. 

Still, Muthersbaugh and the Sun Devils know that whenever they enter the rink, they are playing with Mayich at the front of their minds. 

“Each and every night, we’re playing for him,” Muthersbaugh said. “It’s always bigger than hockey.”