{"id":10036,"date":"2026-05-06T10:49:41","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T14:49:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/?p=10036"},"modified":"2026-05-06T10:49:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T14:49:45","slug":"friendship-series-teammates-turned-family-liam-blake-miami-ohio-hockey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/about\/blog\/friendship-series-teammates-turned-family-liam-blake-miami-ohio-hockey\/","title":{"rendered":"Friendship Series: Teammates Turned Family \u2014 Liam &amp; Blake, Miami Ohio Hockey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At Team IMPACT, we know being a teammate goes far beyond the game. Being a teammate means connection, consistency, and showing up for one another through both the good times and the bad. For Liam, a 16-year-old living with a rare genetic disorder called KIF1A, that kind of connection found him in September 2024 when he was matched with the Miami Ohio hockey team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From day one, Liam found his place with the Miami Ohio hockey team. But within that team, one relationship quickly grew into something especially meaningful: his friendship with Blake Mesenberg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Liam and Blake, Miami Ohio Hockey\" width=\"563\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5ocjZb_yKoQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the last year and a half, Blake has been what Liam\u2019s mom, Melissa, calls \u201ca major player in Liam\u2019s life.\u201d What started as a teammate connection quickly evolved into a genuine, steady bond. \u201cLiam knows that no matter what, he can always call Blake and talk to him about anything,\u201d Melissa said, \u201ceven if Blake is home for the holidays or on summer break. <strong>Blake makes Liam feen seen, loved, and a part of the team.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"706\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10043\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam3.jpeg?resize=706%2C1024&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10043\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam3.jpeg?resize=706%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam3.jpeg?resize=207%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 207w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam3.jpeg?resize=768%2C1115&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam3.jpeg?resize=1058%2C1536&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1058w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam3.jpeg?w=1168&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1168w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 706px) 100vw, 706px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Screenshot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"701\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10042\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam4.jpeg?resize=701%2C1024&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10042\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam4.jpeg?resize=701%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 701w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam4.jpeg?resize=205%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 205w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam4.jpeg?resize=768%2C1122&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam4.jpeg?w=1008&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1008w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 701px) 100vw, 701px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That connection was nearly instant, entirely unexpected, and 100% authentic. \u201cWhen we met Blake, we realized he was special,\u201d Melissa recalled. \u201cWe didn\u2019t know how easy it would be for Blake and Liam to just fall into a genuine friendship.\u201d Blake takes interest in everything Liam is doing, supports him through his medical journey, cheers him on in every aspect of his life, and takes time to truly see how Liam is feeling. As a parent, Melissa has been blown away by the genuine care and connection her son found in Blake. \u201cBlake makes eye contact and gives Liam his full attention when they are together,\u201d she said, \u201cnot because he has to but because he wants to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This consistent and continued connection has helped Liam blossom, both with the team and in his personal life. Liam has not only found a team\u2014he has found himself. \u201c<strong>Through this journey, Blake has found his voice, his ability to be more open and comfortable with letting others in his life<\/strong>,\u201d Melissa said. \u201c<strong>Blake has shown Liam what it truly means and looks like to be a friend.<\/strong>\u201d Which, for Melissa, is huge. \u201cLiam has never had a group of friends prior to joining the team, making it hard to have a birthday party. Blake made sure Liam\u2019s 16th birthday was memorable, and Liam still talks about that night months later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10040\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam6.jpeg?resize=680%2C1024&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10040\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam6.jpeg?resize=680%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 680w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam6.jpeg?resize=199%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 199w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam6.jpeg?resize=768%2C1156&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam6.jpeg?resize=1020%2C1536&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1020w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam6.jpeg?w=1027&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1027w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"628\" height=\"477\" data-id=\"10037\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam9.jpeg?resize=628%2C477&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10037\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam9.jpeg?w=628&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 628w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam9.jpeg?resize=300%2C228&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 628px) 100vw, 628px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Liam and his family, Blake is more than a teammate\u2014he\u2019s a role model, a friend, and a brother. \u201c<strong>From a parent standpoint, you want your children to have friends like Blake<\/strong>,\u201d she said, \u201cselfless and kind, ready to be there to lead the way. <strong>Blake has exceeded all our expectations on what a teammate and friend should be while we are all on this Team IMPACT journey together. Blake is more like family to Liam.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Friendships like Liam and Blake\u2019s are at the heart of what Team IMPACT is all about. It\u2019s not just about adding a name to a roster\u2014it\u2019s about building relationships that change lives with student-athletes who will shape futures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<strong>The world could use more Blake Mesenburgs in it<\/strong>,\u201d Melissa said. \u201c<strong>He is a leader of high character, with a genuine heart. We love the bond our son has with him, and we are thankful Liam has been blessed with such a great teammate.<\/strong> <strong>Blake Mesenburg is a teammate worthy of celebrating.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"657\" data-id=\"10044\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam2.jpeg?resize=683%2C657&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10044\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam2.jpeg?w=683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam2.jpeg?resize=300%2C289&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"645\" data-id=\"10041\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam5.jpeg?resize=800%2C645&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10041\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam5.jpeg?w=988&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 988w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam5.jpeg?resize=300%2C242&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam5.jpeg?resize=768%2C619&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At Team IMPACT, we know being a teammate goes far beyond the game. Being a teammate means connection, consistency, and showing up for one another through both the good times and the bad. For Liam, a 16-year-old living with a rare genetic disorder called KIF1A, that kind of connection found him in September 2024 when he was matched with the Miami Ohio hockey team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":10045,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[33,25,17,18],"tags":[53],"mens-teams":[],"class_list":["post-10036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-match-stories","category-perspective","category-success-stories","category-updates","tag-midwest"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Friendship Series: Teammates Turned Family \u2014 Liam &amp; Blake, Miami Ohio Hockey - Team IMPACT<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/about\/blog\/friendship-series-teammates-turned-family-liam-blake-miami-ohio-hockey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Friendship Series: Teammates Turned Family \u2014 Liam &amp; Blake, Miami Ohio Hockey - Team IMPACT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"At Team IMPACT, we know being a teammate goes far beyond the game. Being a teammate means connection, consistency, and showing up for one another through both the good times and the bad. For Liam, a 16-year-old living with a rare genetic disorder called KIF1A, that kind of connection found him in September 2024 when he was matched with the Miami Ohio hockey team.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/about\/blog\/friendship-series-teammates-turned-family-liam-blake-miami-ohio-hockey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Team IMPACT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/GoTeamIMPACT\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-06T14:49:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-05-06T14:49:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Liam1.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1169\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1657\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Katie DePaolo\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@GoTeamIMPACT\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@GoTeamIMPACT\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Katie DePaolo\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.teamimpact.org\\\/about\\\/blog\\\/friendship-series-teammates-turned-family-liam-blake-miami-ohio-hockey\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.teamimpact.org\\\/about\\\/blog\\\/friendship-series-teammates-turned-family-liam-blake-miami-ohio-hockey\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Katie DePaolo\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.teamimpact.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/a83bc3e15e1ed8dd27d63d62074b8525\"},\"headline\":\"Friendship Series: Teammates Turned Family \u2014 Liam &amp; 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