Parents of NHL prospect hospitalized after collapse at team workout say he's a 'fighter'

The parents of an Ontario NHL prospect who is in critical condition after collapsing during a team workout say their son is "a fighter" and that they are not giving up on him.

Twenty-one-year-old Matthew Mayich, of Hamilton, was at an early-morning outdoor workout with the Arizona State University (ASU) hockey team on Aug. 20 when he collapsed.

"We know Matthew's a fighter and we're hoping he pulls through this," said Matthew's father, John. He and Matthew's mother, Christina, spoke to CBC News from Phoenix, Ariz.

Before the workout, Matthew was "perfectly healthy," according to Christina.

Now, their lawyer says, he’s "clinging to his life in a hospital bed."

The incident has made waves in the sports world, prompting the Professional Hockey Players’ Association to speak up about the lack of protections for young athletes.

"When athletes feel pressure to remain silent about an injury, illness, exhaustion or concern because they fear the consequences of speaking up, the system has failed them," said PHPA executive director Brian Ramsay in a statement on Sept. 10, which does not directly name Mayich.

"Athletes should never have to choose between their health and their careers. Period."

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Mayich started playing hockey around age five, according to John, and excelled.

He played minor hockey with the Hamilton Huskies between 2016 and 2020, and then with the Ottawa 67's. In 2023, he was drafted by the NHL's St. Louis Blues. His parents say they were his biggest fans, along with his younger brother and older sister, travelling everywhere to support him.

"He didn't care if he was at a small rink in Hamilton or a big rink in St. Louis with a lot of