Arizona State head hockey coach Greg Powers declined to answer questions Wednesday about a player's collapse during a team workout last month but says he still believes he is the right person to lead the team.

"There's obviously some things that have been said about me and I respect anything anybody has to say. But I believe I am the right guy, and 20 years of a body of work and building a program, almost 20 years now, I still believe that," Powers said during a news conference for the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. It was the first time Powers has spoken publicly since St. Louis Blues prospect Matthew Mayich collapsed during an offseason workout on the morning of Aug. 20.

Mayich has been hospitalized in critical condition after suffering exertional heat stroke that reduced the flow of oxygen to his brain and is unlikely to recover, according to his family's attorney, Rob Carey. Powers opened the news conference with a statement that he would not answer questions about Mayich's collapse. Assistant captain Ben Muthersbaugh sat beside Powers and told reporters that some teammates have visited Mayich since his collapse.

A preliminary report found Powers' coaching staff did not submit a training plan for review before the workout. The report also found that the former Green Beret who led the workout, Tim Ziesel, did not have a contract with the school. The ASU Police Department is investigating, and the school said the report will be sent to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for independent review.