Arizona State hockey assistant coach Alex Hicks was absent from the home opener following a player medical emergency during an outdoor workout.

Arizona State hockey assistant coach Alex Hicks was notably absent from the team bench during Friday's home opener against Holy Cross. His absence marks the latest development in the ongoing fallout surrounding a tragic player collapse that occurred during an outdoor workout in August.

Defenseman Matthew Mayich collapsed on August 20 during the first day of official NCAA activities in Tempe, Arizona, suffering from an external heat stroke that severely restricted oxygen flow to his brain. According to family attorney Rob Carey, the 21-year-old player is unfortunately unlikely to recover from the incident.

The university has not provided a specific reason for the absence of Alex Hicks, according to information published by bleache. The program continues to face intense scrutiny and leadership changes as multiple independent and legal investigations move forward.

Leadership Changes and Administrative Leave at Arizona State

Head coach Greg Powers was previously placed on administrative leave by the university on September 30. Due to this disciplinary action, Powers was not present with the Arizona State hockey team during their opening weekend games at Lindenwood.

In response to the mounting pressure, Arizona State appointed former Arizona State Supreme Court chief justice Scott Bales to lead an independent review. The university requested that Bales complete his comprehensive investigation into the workout incident by early December.

Player Letter and Safety Concerns During NCAA Activities

Following the medical emergency involving Matthew Mayich, seven Arizona State players submitted a formal letter to university President Michael Crow. The athletes requested an independent review and demanded that the coaching staff involved in the workout be placed on leave.

The players sent their anonymous letter through an attorney because they feared potential retribution from the coaching staff. The message also highlighted several discrepancies found in the initial internal probe conducted by the university after the tragedy.

Ongoing Police Investigation and Family Response

The Arizona Department of Public Safety launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the outdoor workout. Once the police department finishes gathering evidence, officials will submit a complete report to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for an independent legal review.

The family of Matthew Mayich expressed appreciation that Arizona State initiated a review led by Scott Bales, but they raised concerns about the scope. The family attorney argued that the investigation must examine what specifically went wrong during the workout and determine responsibility, rather than merely reviewing general school policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Arizona State assistant coach Alex Hicks miss the game?

Arizona State did not officially state why assistant coach Alex Hicks was absent from the home opener against Holy Cross following the player collapse incident.

What happened to Arizona State defenseman Matthew Mayich?

Matthew Mayich collapsed during an outdoor workout on August 20 due to external heat stroke, which reduced oxygen flow to his brain and left him unlikely to recover.

Who is leading the independent review for Arizona State?

Former Arizona State Supreme Court chief justice Scott Bales is leading the independent review requested by the university to examine the August 20 workout.

What action did Arizona State take regarding head coach Greg Powers?

Head coach Greg Powers was placed on administrative leave by the university on September 30 and missed the team's opening weekend games.