ASU Hockey Faces Leadership Vacuum as Alex Hicks Joins Greg Powers in Absence from Bench

Arizona State Associate Head Coach Alex Hicks will not be with the Sun Devils for the program’s home-opening series against Holy Cross, which begins October 9, 2026. His absence further thins a coaching staff already operating under the cloud of an ongoing investigation into a summer workout that left a standout player on life support.

Assistant coach Mike Corbett is currently acting as the lead on the bench for the Sun Devils. To provide additional stability during the leadership vacuum, former NHL forward Taylor Pyatt has joined the staff as a volunteer assistant ahead of the two-game series at Mullett Arena.

The Sun Devils' program is under review following the collapse of during a summer workout.

Staffing Changes and the Ongoing Investigation

The coaching adjustments follow the university’s decision to place head coach Greg Powers on paid administrative leave on September 30, 2026. The school has not specified a timeline for Powers’ return or the conclusion of the independent review into the program’s conduct and safety protocols.

While Corbett continues to lead the team through its early-season schedule, the program remains focused on the medical status of Matthew Mayich, a 2023 St. Louis Blues draft pick from Hamilton, Ontario. Mayich collapsed during an outdoor team workout on August 20, 2026, the first day NCAA rules permitted practice. He has remained hospitalized on life support since the incident.

Allegations Surrounding the August Workout

The gravity of the situation was amplified by reports of an anonymous letter sent to university officials by seven members of the hockey team. Represented by legal counsel, the players alleged that Mayich was denied water during the outdoor session held in the Arizona heat. These reported claims form a central component of the investigation into the coaching staff’s oversight and the circumstances leading to Mayich’s collapse.

Despite the off-ice turmoil, the Sun Devils are scheduled to host Holy Cross on October 9 and 10. The series marks the team’s return to Mullett Arena, though the atmosphere is expected to be tempered by the absence of the program’s primary leadership and the critical condition of their teammate.

The post ASU Hockey Faces Leadership Vacuum as Alex Hicks Joins Greg Powers in Absence from Bench appeared first on World Weekly News.