Greg Powers put on leave amid Matthew Mayich probe

Arizona State have placed hockey coach Greg Powers on administrative leave while the university investigates the collapse of player Matthew Mayich during an outdoor workout in August.

Mayich, 21, suffered external heat stroke that cut off oxygen flow to his brain during the session, held in 89F heat. Family attorney Rob Carey said the player is unlikely to recover. Carey said Mayich had shown signs of distress before he collapsed, and that no cold water tub was available at the site, a standard treatment for overheating.

Athletic director Graham Rossini announced the decision in a statement.

«Our focus continues to be on Matthew and his family, and on our student-athletes to make sure they have the support they need during this time and as the season begins,».

Rossini said the school had "continued to collect as much information as possible" and, after deliberation, judged the move necessary to provide stability for the hockey programme.

Powers declined to answer reporters' questions on the incident last week. Seven players wrote to Arizona State president Michael Crow on Monday asking the school to place the coaches involved on leave until an independent investigation concludes, and pointed to discrepancies in the university's initial inquiry. Mayich's parents, John and Christina Mayich, issued a statement on Tuesday backing the players' call. The NCHC has said it supports the university's decision to place Powers on leave while the circumstances around Mayich's trauma are examined.

The case now turns on that independent investigation. Its findings, and the role of an unnamed individual in running a session without a university contract, are likely to shape whether Powers returns to the programme once the season begins.