Former ASU Hockey Coach Walks Away With $1.3M Buyout After Player Left on Life Support

It's been a rough stretch for Arizona State hockey, and the situation keeps getting more complicated. While the Sun Devils are trying to move forward on the ice under new leadership, the fallout from a devastating off-ice incident continues to dominate the conversation. Now, newly obtained records are shedding light on just how much the university is paying to part ways with former head coach Greg Powers.

The Buyout Details and What Led to Them

Powers' departure was announced last week as a mutual parting of ways, but at the time, the university kept the financial details under wraps. That's changed now. According to contract records obtained from ASU, Powers will collect 75% of the remaining value on his deal, which was originally signed in 2022, updated in 2025, and ran through 2030. The full computed amount came out to roughly $1.77 million, meaning his buyout totals $1,329,807.69.

That money won't come all at once. It's structured across three installments: about $531,923 right now, followed by two payments of roughly $398,942, one in August 2027 and another in August 2028. On top of that, Powers will also receive $85,000 in previously earned but unpaid bonuses.

The buyout comes in the wake of a military-style outdoor workout that went horribly wrong. Sophomore player Matthew Mayich collapsed during the session and has remained unconscious and on life support ever since. Players told reporters that water breaks during the workout lasted only seconds, and Mayich reportedly received no water at all. The incident sparked widespread outrage and scrutiny of the program.

Attorney Pete Mayer, who has experience drafting coaching contracts at the university level, noted that Powers' deal had built-in protections for both sides. However, Mayer pointed to a notable clause in the contract regarding "conduct affecting the university," suggesting ASU could have potentially pursued a for-cause termination given the negative public attention the incident has generated. As Mayer put it, what parent of a promising hockey recruit would feel comfortable sending their kid to play at Arizona State right now?

Cooperation Required and What Comes Next

Perhaps the most significant element beyond the dollar figures is a cooperation clause. A letter sent to Powers confirms that he has agreed to work with the university and its legal counsel in connection with any legal proceedings tied to his time as head coach. That specifically includes any potential lawsuit stemming from Mayich's hospitalization. Given the severity of the situation and the likelihood of legal action, this cooperation requirement could prove to be a critical piece of the puzzle going forward.

Meanwhile, ASU moved quickly to install new leadership. The university brought in Dave Hakstol, an assistant with the Colorado Avalanche, to take over the program. That hire was announced just one day before the news of Powers' departure went public, a clear signal that the school wanted to project stability and a fresh start as quickly as possible.

Still, the shadow of what happened to Matthew Mayich hangs over everything. As the season continues and the investigation unfolds, the focus for many won't be on wins and losses but on accountability and whether a young player's life was needlessly put at risk. The buyout may close one chapter, but the story is far from over.