HAMILTON — Arizona State University has reached an agreement to part ways with hockey coach Greg Powers and appointed Dave Hakstol, a substantive change from the paid leave announced after Stoney Creek player Matthew Mayich’s hospitalization.

The university announced Hakstol’s appointment on October 15. Its current statement describes Powers’ departure as a mutual agreement, not a disciplinary finding about the August workout.

Hakstol joins ASU from the Colorado Avalanche, where he was an assistant coach. His previous head-coaching posts include North Dakota, the Philadelphia Flyers and Seattle Kraken. ASU says Matt Greene joins his staff and Jimmy Mullin remains an assistant.

A separate review of the collapse

Mayich, 21, collapsed during an August 20 team workout. CHCH’s October 16 report says he remained hospitalized; it attributes the description of exertional heat stroke and resulting oxygen deprivation to family lawyer Rob Carey. Those medical details are not an independent TNC diagnosis.

Carey has challenged the circumstances of the workout, describing it to CHCH as punitive. That remains an attributed allegation. ASU’s announcement of a mutually agreed coaching departure does not resolve the dispute.

In an October 5 letter, Arizona Board of Regents chair Doug Goodyear confirmed that former Arizona Supreme Court chief justice Scott Bales would lead an independent review of what happened on August 20 and afterward.

The letter promises access to university personnel, records and policies, confidential or anonymous participation, and resources for outside assistance. A separate October 5 legislative release says ASU requested completion by early December; that is a target, not a published outcome.

CHCH reported on October 16 that campus police were also investigating, with a report to go to the county attorney for independent review. The documents reviewed for this update do not establish a completed investigation or responsibility for Mayich’s injuries.

What changed

Update, October 17: This article originally reported Powers’ September 30 paid leave and temporary coaching arrangements. It now includes the October 15 departure and Hakstol appointment, along with the independently documented review process. The original publication date and URL are retained.

Sources: ASU Athletics’ October 15 appointment announcement; ASU’s current coaching statement; CHCH’s October 16 report, updated 10:48 a.m. Toronto time; Board of Regents’ October 5 letter; October 5 legislative release and attached letter.

Lead image: existing TNC AI-generated editorial illustration of hockey equipment beside a rink. It is not a photograph of Mayich, ASU’s facilities, the August workout or the coaching announcement.