Arizona State took the ice for its home opener Friday missing seven players, none of whom appeared on the official injury report. The absences follow an October incident in which freshman defenseman AJ Martinez collapsed during practice and required hospitalization, an event now under administrative review by both campus police and ASU athletics compliance.
The Sun Devils dressed 18 skaters against Long Island University, the minimum NCAA Division I roster requirement. Head coach Greg Powers declined post-game comment on the missing personnel. Three of the absent players—forwards Cole Bartolone and Jarret Meier, plus defenseman Cruz Pavao—were expected starters based on preseason depth charts distributed to credentialed media. The remaining four are walk-ons whose practice status was not disclosed prior to Friday. Martinez himself remains on medical leave with no public timeline for return.
The investigation centers on what occurred in the 48 hours before Martinez's October 14th collapse at Oceanside Ice Arena, ASU's off-campus practice facility. Campus police opened a case file October 16th; ASU athletics compliance added a parallel review October 21st. Neither office has released preliminary findings. Powers' contract, signed in April for $285,000 annually through 2027, includes standard termination clauses for NCAA violations or conduct detrimental to the program. Arizona State operates hockey as a club sport with NCAA eligibility rules but without conference affiliation, a structure that complicates enforcement jurisdiction.
The roster gaps matter beyond Friday's 6-2 loss. ASU hockey runs on a $1.8 million annual budget cobbled from student fees, ticket sales, and private donations through the Sun Devil Hockey Foundation. The program's 2019 leap to Division I competition was premised on eventual conference membership and postseason access, goals that require consistent fielding of competitive rosters. Consecutive seasons of instability—ASU went 12-22-2 last year and lost its top recruiter to Army in May—threaten donor retention. The Foundation's largest contributor, a Scottsdale commercial real estate group, structured its $400,000 pledge with annual performance reviews.
Sponsor sensitivity runs higher still. Gila River Resorts & Casinos holds ASU hockey's jersey patch deal, valued at $175,000 over three years. The tribe-owned operator built its sports portfolio around family-safe properties; it walked from a Phoenix Suns courtside activation in 2021 after a player domestic violence arrest. Gila River's ASU contract includes a morals clause permitting exit within 30 days of any criminal charge filed against program staff or players. No charges have been filed in the Martinez matter, but the clause stays live.
Powers' silence Friday extended to his assistant coaches, neither of whom took media questions. Bartolone and Meier both skated in Sunday's closed practice, per an equipment manager who spoke on condition of anonymity. Their availability for this weekend's road series at Stonehill College remains unconfirmed. Pavao did not practice Sunday; his whereabouts are unknown. The Sun Devil Hockey Foundation board meets December 4th, its first scheduled session since the October incident. Agenda items have not been posted.
ASU plays six road games before returning to Oceanside on November 29th. That gap gives investigators time but gives Powers little roster margin. The NCAA permits unlimited Division I roster sizes, but ASU's club-sport budget caps the travel squad at 22 dressed players for logistical reasons. If the seven absences persist, the Sun Devils will spend November operating at 83 percent of planned capacity against opponents who carry full rosters. Long Island outshot ASU 41-18 on Friday.
Martinez's father told a Tempe television station his son is home, stable, and undergoing further evaluation. He declined to discuss what preceded the collapse. The family retained a Phoenix attorney whose practice focuses on Title IX and campus conduct cases, a signal that institutional process, not criminal liability, may be the primary concern. ASU's athletics compliance office typically resolves investigations within 60 to 90 days unless law enforcement requests a pause.
The next public checkpoint is Stonehill, November 8th and 9th. If Bartolone and Meier return, ASU dresses a functional lineup. If they don't, Powers coaches his first road series since taking the job with a roster that can't absorb a single injury. The university has not announced whether the compliance review has an expected completion date.
The takeaway
ASU hockey opened down seven players while dual investigations proceed; the program's sponsor and donor base both carry exit clauses tied to conduct findings.
Editorial & Disclosure Notice: This article was written with artificial intelligence from public sources and is published without individual human review. Artificial intelligence and other digital tools are also used for research, analysis, editing, formatting, and production. Errors, omissions, outdated information, or inaccuracies may occur. References to companies, brands, products, services, organizations, or individuals are for informational and editorial purposes and do not imply endorsement, sponsorship, affiliation, partnership, or approval unless expressly stated. All trademarks and other intellectual property remain the property of their respective owners. Opinions, analysis, estimates, and commentary are informational only and should not be construed as financial, investment, legal, tax, medical, procurement, or other professional advice. Information may be corrected, clarified, or updated after publication. Corrections or removal requests: jenny@pops4.com.
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