The hockey community is mourning the reported passing of Matthew Mayich, a talented defenseman from Hamilton, Ontario, whose promising athletic career had recently taken him to Arizona State University. His reported death has brought sadness to teammates, coaches, friends, family, and supporters who followed his journey through Canadian junior hockey and into the NCAA.
Mayich was born in Hamilton and grew up in the Stoney Creek area, where he developed his passion for hockey. He eventually became a standout defenseman and built a strong reputation through his years with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League. His development reflected years of dedication, discipline, and commitment to the sport.
Before reaching the university level, Mayich spent four seasons with the Ottawa 67’s. During his OHL career, he became a dependable presence on the blue line and eventually earned leadership responsibilities as an alternate captain. His performance and consistency helped establish him as a player with considerable potential.
His talent attracted attention from the NHL as well. The St. Louis Blues selected Mayich in the sixth round, 170th overall, of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. That achievement represented an important milestone in the career of a young player who had worked for years to reach the highest levels of hockey.
Mayich continued his education and hockey career at Clarkson University during the 2025-26 season. He appeared in 34 games during his freshman campaign, recording seven goals and eight assists for 15 points while finishing with a plus-13 rating.
In April 2026, Mayich’s transfer to Arizona State University was confirmed. ASU later announced him as part of its group of incoming transfers for the 2026-27 season. The university described him as a polished two-way defender and noted his previous experience with the Ottawa 67’s.
Arizona State’s official roster listed Mayich as a defenseman from Stoney Creek, Ontario. His addition to the Sun Devils represented another step in a hockey journey that had already taken him from youth hockey in Ontario to the OHL, Clarkson, and eventually NCAA hockey at Arizona State.
News of his reported passing has therefore resonated across multiple hockey communities. Former teammates in Ottawa, colleagues at Clarkson, members of the Arizona State hockey program, and friends and family in the Hamilton and Stoney Creek area are among those affected by the loss.
At this time, reliable public information about the circumstances and cause of Mayich’s reported death remains limited. Reports circulating online have described his passing, but details surrounding what happened have not been independently confirmed by an official death announcement or authorities. It is therefore important to avoid presenting unverified claims about the circumstances of his death as fact.
For those who knew Matthew, his legacy extends well beyond statistics and draft selections. He will be remembered as a young athlete who dedicated himself to hockey and earned the respect of teammates and coaches through his work on the ice.
His passing represents a heartbreaking loss for a player whose career was still unfolding. Matthew Mayich’s journey from Hamilton and Stoney Creek through the Ottawa 67’s and Clarkson to Arizona State demonstrated the determination and talent that had defined his young life.
As the hockey community mourns, thoughts remain with Mayich’s family, friends, former teammates, coaches, and everyone who knew him. His contributions to the sport and the memories he created with those around him will remain part of his lasting legacy.