Matthew Mayich is a Canadian ice hockey defenseman known for his physical style of play, defensive awareness, and experience in junior and college hockey. Born on December 21, 2004, in Ontario, Canada, he developed his skills through competitive hockey before joining the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). His performances eventually attracted the attention of the St. Louis Blues, who selected him in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Mayich later played college hockey for Clarkson University before transferring to Arizona State University for the 2026–27 season. His hockey career has attracted significant public attention following a serious medical emergency during an outdoor workout in August 2026. His situation has also prompted discussions about athlete safety, training conditions, and accountability in college sports.
Who Is Matthew Mayich?
Matthew Mayich is a Canadian hockey player who plays as a defenseman. He grew up in Ontario, where hockey is a major part of the sporting culture, and progressed through youth hockey before reaching the Ontario Hockey League.
Mayich developed a reputation as a reliable two-way defenseman. This role requires players to defend their own goal while helping their teams move the puck forward and create offensive opportunities.
Standing approximately 6 feet 2 inches tall, Mayich has the physical attributes suited to playing on the defensive line. His left-handed shot and ability to make controlled passes have also been identified as important aspects of his playing style.
According to his official hockey profiles, he was selected by the Ottawa 67’s in the fourth round of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft. His later selection in the NHL Draft marked another important step in his development as a hockey player.
Matthew Mayich Biography and Personal Details
The following table summarizes publicly available information about Matthew Mayich.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Mayich |
| Date of birth | December 21, 2004 |
| Age in October 2026 | 21 years |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Hometown | Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada |
| Sport | Ice hockey |
| Position | Defenseman |
| Shooting hand | Left |
| Height | Approximately 6 feet 2 inches |
| Junior team | Ottawa 67’s |
| Previous college | Clarkson University |
| College team for 2026–27 | Arizona State Sun Devils |
| NHL draft team | St. Louis Blues |
| NHL Draft year | 2023 |
| Draft selection | Sixth round, 170th overall |
These details are drawn from published hockey profiles and team roster information. Listed measurements can vary slightly between sources.
Early Life and Hockey Development
Matthew Mayich was born in Ontario, Canada, on December 21, 2004. Growing up in a region with a strong hockey tradition provided opportunities to develop his skills through organized competition.
Like many Canadian players who aspire to compete at higher levels, Mayich progressed through youth hockey before entering the Ontario Hockey League. His development required skating ability, tactical awareness, physical preparation, and an understanding of defensive responsibilities.
In 2020, the Ottawa 67’s selected Mayich in the fourth round of the OHL Priority Selection Draft. This gave him an opportunity to compete in one of Canada’s prominent junior hockey leagues.
The OHL provides a competitive environment for young players preparing for professional hockey and college opportunities. Over several seasons, Mayich gained experience against talented opponents and continued developing his defensive game.
His progression through junior hockey eventually led to interest from NHL scouts and an opportunity to pursue college hockey.
Matthew Mayich and the Ottawa 67’s
The Ottawa 67’s played an important role in Mayich’s development. He spent four seasons with the team from 2021 through 2025, gaining experience in regular-season games and playoff competition.
During his final OHL season in 2024–25, Mayich recorded seven goals and 35 assists for 42 points in 66 regular-season games. His offensive contribution was notable for a defenseman, whose responsibilities also include blocking shots, protecting the defensive zone, and preventing opponents from creating scoring chances.
Across his OHL regular-season career, he recorded 21 goals and 78 assists for 99 points in 256 games. He also served as an alternate captain during his final two seasons, reflecting a leadership role within the team.
These seasons helped Mayich develop into a more experienced player. Regular competition allowed him to improve his positioning, passing, decision-making, and ability to respond to different offensive systems.
His time in Ottawa was an important foundation for the next stage of his hockey career.
Matthew Mayich’s NHL Draft and the St. Louis Blues
One of the significant milestones in Matthew Mayich’s career came during the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
The St. Louis Blues selected him in the sixth round, 170th overall. Being drafted by an NHL organization is an important achievement for a young player because it places him within a professional team’s development system.
NHL draft selection does not automatically guarantee a professional playing career. Drafted players must continue improving their skills, competing for opportunities, and demonstrating that they can perform at increasingly demanding levels.
Mayich also participated in the Blues’ training camp and prospect showcase in 2024, gaining experience in an environment connected to professional hockey.
His development as a defenseman, particularly his ability to combine physical play with controlled puck movement, remained an important part of his profile. His selection demonstrated that an NHL organization saw potential in his abilities.
College Hockey Career at Clarkson University
After completing his junior hockey career, Mayich joined Clarkson University for the 2025–26 college hockey season.
Clarkson competes in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey, providing players with an opportunity to combine university education with high-level athletic competition.
During his freshman season, Mayich appeared in 34 games and recorded seven goals and eight assists, totaling 15 points. He also recorded 28 blocked shots and finished with a plus-minus rating of plus 13.
His performance against Quinnipiac in March 2026 was one of the notable moments of the season. He scored a shorthanded goal and provided an assist in a 4–3 victory during the ECAC quarterfinals.
A shorthanded goal occurs when a team scores while playing with fewer skaters because of a penalty. Such goals can be especially important because they turn a defensive situation into an offensive opportunity.
Mayich’s freshman season showed that he could contribute beyond his primary defensive responsibilities. His ability to generate offense while maintaining a defensive role helped him establish himself in college hockey.
Transfer to Arizona State University
For the 2026–27 season, Mayich transferred from Clarkson University to Arizona State University, where he joined the Sun Devils’ men’s ice hockey program.
The move represented a new stage in his college career. Transferring between universities can provide players with different competitive environments, coaching systems, academic opportunities, and development pathways.
Arizona State competes in NCAA Division I hockey and has continued building its program. Mayich’s experience in the OHL and his first season at Clarkson offered him a background in both junior and college competition.
However, his arrival at Arizona State was followed by a serious medical emergency that changed the course of his season. Rather than being defined only by his athletic performance, his name became associated with concerns about training safety and the responsibilities of college sports programs.
What Happened to Matthew Mayich?
On August 20, 2026, Matthew Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout associated with Arizona State’s hockey program. The incident occurred in Arizona during hot weather and resulted in a medical emergency.
Reports identified exertional heat stroke as the cause of the crisis. This condition can occur when intense physical activity produces excessive body heat that the body cannot regulate effectively. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
Mayich was hospitalized following the collapse. By September, his family had spoken publicly about his condition and asked people to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
In October 2026, reports indicated that he remained on life support. His family’s attorney described his neurological prognosis as extremely poor. These reports underline the severity of his condition, although updates about a patient’s medical situation should be distinguished from independently verified medical records.
The incident has raised questions about the circumstances of the workout, the environmental conditions, and the measures in place to protect athletes. An investigation was announced to examine what happened.
The Investigation and Questions About Athlete Safety
The circumstances surrounding Mayich’s collapse became a major issue for Arizona State University’s hockey program.
According to published reports, the outdoor workout was led by a former Green Beret who was not affiliated with the university as a regular member of the hockey coaching staff. Questions arose about the nature of the session, the heat, and the oversight of training activities.
Arizona State placed longtime head coach Greg Powers on administrative leave in September. In October, the university and Powers announced that they had parted ways. The university also appointed former NHL head coach Dave Hakstol to lead the hockey program.
The changes occurred while scrutiny of the incident continued. Mayich’s family called for transparency and emphasized that the investigation should continue, regardless of the coaching changes.
The university announced an independent review led by former Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Ruth McGregor?
The published reporting identifies the reviewer as former Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Graham Rossini?
More precisely, reports state that Arizona State enlisted former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Scott Bales to conduct an independent review, with findings expected later in 2026.
An investigation is important because it can establish the sequence of events, evaluate the decisions made before and during the workout, and identify whether changes are needed to reduce future risks. Until findings are released, allegations and unresolved questions should not be treated as established conclusions.
Why Exertional Heat Stroke Is Dangerous for Athletes
Exertional heat stroke is among the most serious medical emergencies associated with strenuous exercise. It can occur when intense physical effort, high temperatures, humidity, inadequate recovery, or other factors overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate heat.
Warning signs can include confusion, unusual behavior, collapse, loss of consciousness, and very high body temperature. The condition can damage the brain and other organs if treatment is delayed.
Sports organizations generally need procedures that account for weather conditions, training intensity, athlete health, hydration, and emergency response. Workouts in extreme heat may require changes to their timing, duration, or intensity.
Coaches and trainers should also recognize warning signs and know how to activate emergency medical care. Rapid cooling is a critical part of the immediate response to suspected exertional heat stroke.
Mayich’s case has drawn attention to these issues because it illustrates the potentially devastating consequences of a medical emergency during athletic training. It also reinforces the importance of prevention, clear supervision, and emergency preparedness.
Matthew Mayich’s Family and Personal Life
Matthew Mayich’s family has played a visible role in sharing information about his condition and asking the public to remember him as a person beyond the headlines.
In interviews reported in September 2026, his parents described him as a family-oriented young man with a strong love of hockey. They also spoke about his enjoyment of fishing and spending time with people close to him.
Their public comments have helped people understand that Mayich is more than an athlete whose name appears in hockey statistics. He is a young person with relationships, interests, and a life outside the rink.
The family’s public statements have also emphasized the importance of obtaining answers about the incident. They have called for a thorough investigation and transparency as the university reviews what happened.
Because the situation remains deeply personal, details about family life and medical updates should be shared respectfully and without speculation.
Matthew Mayich’s Hockey Statistics and Achievements
Mayich’s playing record reflects several important stages in his development.
His OHL career with the Ottawa 67’s gave him extensive junior experience. His 42-point season in 2024–25 demonstrated his ability to contribute offensively from the blue line.
His first NCAA season at Clarkson brought another milestone. He recorded 15 points in 34 games, including seven goals and eight assists, and helped his team during the postseason.
His achievements include:
- Being selected by the Ottawa 67’s in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection Draft.
- Playing four seasons of junior hockey with Ottawa.
- Serving as an alternate captain during his final two OHL seasons.
- Being drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft.
- Recording 42 points during the 2024–25 OHL regular season.
- Recording 15 points in 34 games during his 2025–26 freshman season at Clarkson.
- Transferring to Arizona State University for the 2026–27 season.
These accomplishments describe his hockey development before the August 2026 medical emergency. His future playing career remains uncertain in light of the reported severity of his condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew Mayich
Who is Matthew Mayich?
Matthew Mayich is a Canadian ice hockey defenseman who played for the Ottawa 67’s in the OHL and Clarkson University in NCAA Division I hockey before transferring to Arizona State University.
How old is Matthew Mayich?
He was born on December 21, 2004, making him 21 years old in October 2026.
Which NHL team drafted Matthew Mayich?
The St. Louis Blues selected him 170th overall in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
What position does Matthew Mayich play?
He plays defenseman, a position focused on preventing opponents from scoring while helping move the puck into the offensive zone.
What happened to Matthew Mayich in August 2026?
He collapsed during an outdoor workout associated with Arizona State’s hockey program on August 20, 2026. Reports identified exertional heat stroke, and he was hospitalized.
What is Matthew Mayich’s reported medical condition?
Reports in October 2026 stated that he remained on life support and that his family had received an extremely poor neurological prognosis. Medical developments should be confirmed through reliable, current reporting.
Did Matthew Mayich play for Clarkson University?
Yes. He played in 34 games during the 2025–26 season, recording seven goals and eight assists for 15 points.
Is Matthew Mayich playing for Arizona State?
He transferred to Arizona State for the 2026–27 season. His reported medical condition has made his return to competitive hockey uncertain.
Conclusion
Matthew Mayich’s story reflects both the promise of a developing hockey career and the serious consequences of a medical emergency in competitive sports. From his years with the Ottawa 67’s to his selection by the St. Louis Blues and his freshman season at Clarkson University, he built a record of steady development as a defenseman.
His transfer to Arizona State was expected to mark another opportunity in college hockey. However, his collapse during an outdoor workout on August 20, 2026, shifted attention toward his health, his family’s concerns, and the importance of athlete safety.
As investigations continue, accurate reporting and respect for the family remain essential. Mayich’s hockey achievements are part of his story, but the most important concern is his well-being and the effort to understand what happened. His case also serves as a reminder that proper training conditions, medical preparedness, and clear accountability are essential in every athletic program.
