Blues players make classy gesture at camp amid Matthew Mayich tragedy

The St. Louis Blues opened training camp this month carrying a weight far heavier than the usual pressures of a new NHL season. The organization has been reeling since August 20, when 21-year-old prospect Matthew Mayich collapsed during a preseason workout at Arizona State University, and the updates since then have only grown more devastating.

Robert Carey, a former deputy chief attorney general of Arizona now representing the Mayich family through the law firm Hagens Berman, recently clarified that describing Mayich as being in a coma is no longer accurate. "A coma indicates deep unconsciousness and recovery is possible," Carey said. "His body ceased functioning in a fundamental way, and this condition is irreversible."

The young defenseman, selected by St. Louis in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft at 170th overall, remains hospitalized in critical condition with what Carey has described as "zero chance of recovery."

Against that somber backdrop, Blues players reportedly arrived at training camp united in their support for Mayich and his family. A Mayich jersey has been hanging on the glass during the first day of Blues training camp.

The gesture, while details remain limited, reflected the kind of quiet solidarity that transcends the rink and speaks to the culture within the organization.

Mayich collapsed during what has been characterized as a "military-style" outdoor training session at Sun Angel Stadium, reportedly led by Tim Ziesel, a 39-year-old former military service member who is not an ASU employee. Head coach Greg Powers allegedly requested that Ziesel conduct the session.

Players who spoke with Carey described the roughly 50 to 60 minute workout as grueling and hostile. Exercises reportedly included sprints, planks, pushups, and bear crawls, all performed in temperatures around 86 degrees Fahrenheit with 51 percent humidity and no wind. According to those accounts, Ziesel restricted water intake based on effort levels and told athletes not to complain.

On Thursday night, the Mayich family held a moving interview about Matthew with Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet and shared their two requests. His parents want the world to learn more about their son, Matthew and no matter where you are from or what faith you follow, say a prayer for him.

A beautiful piece by Friedman:

The Blues attempt to move forward with heavy hearts at their training camp. The questions surrounding accountability and player safety at the collegiate level are only growing louder, and the hockey world continues to hold Matthew Mayich and his family in its thoughts.