Miami hockey signs Liam Jergenson to the program through Team IMPACT

The Miami University hockey program has officially announced the addition of a new recruit to its ranks.

Liam Jergenson, a 15-year-old from Liberty Township, Ohio, signed a national letter of intent with the RedHawks thanks to a partnership with Team IMPACT – a group dedicated since 2011 to match kids with serious illnesses or disabilities with college sports teams.

"We’ve said since we got here that the lifeblood of our program is recruiting —the type of people that we bring in here and how much pride we're going to take in that — and exactly what we’re going to look for in the type of people that are going to represent Miami hockey,” head coach Anthony Noreen said. “Seeing Liam and the attitude he brings to the rink every day, the attitude he brings to our games, the smile on his face and the positive impact he has on all of us is an inspiration.”

At the age of five, Jergenson was diagnosed with KIF1A, a neurodegenerative disease that causes mental and developmental delays. Only 500 people in the world have the disease, and he’s the only one with his specific strain.

However, Jergenson has continued to be a shining light in the lives of his family and the RedHawks hockey players he has come to know.

“It’s an honor,” graduate student forward Ryan Sullivan said. “The energy he brings to the rink every day is inspiring to us all. With what he’s been through, it brightens our day to have him around. He’s a contagious kid, and we’re so happy to have him as a part of our team this year.”

In addition to being an official member of the RedHawk family, Jergenson spoke candidly about his other hobbies, like sled hockey. With a huge smile on his face, he said he would beat all of the Miami players, garnering lots of smiles and laughter from those in attendance.

Another passion of Jergenson’s is hunting, one he shares with graduate student defenseman Dylan Moulton. Jergenson even called Moulton to inform him that he had killed a big deer in Corpus Christi, Texas.

For Jergenson, in his white and red Miami home jersey with the number seven and his name on the back, and for all the RedHawks players, this has been a rewarding experience full of laughs, smiles and, most importantly, community.

“We’re excited to have him a part of this for as long as he wants,” Noreen said. “He’s always got a spot in our locker room and around our team. We love having him here.”

Jergenson summed up what the RedHawks players mean to him in one sentence:

“You guys are the best teammates I’ve ever had.”