When Liam joined the Miami of Ohio hockey team through Team IMPACT in September of 2024, he gained a team—and he gained a brotherhood. One teammate in particular, Dylan Moulton, became far more than a teammate. He became family.
Liam lives with a rare genetic disorder, but his experience with the Miami hockey team has been a powerful reminder that with the right people, limitations become possibilities. From the moment they met, Dylan showed Liam what true friendship looks like.
“Dylan is a man of few words,” shared Liam’s mom, Melissa, “but every interaction between him and Liam is intentional and full of meaning.” Even after moving on to play at the next level, Dylan made sure his bond with Liam didn’t end. When Liam worried that their time together was over, Dylan showed up—literally. He moved just a few hours away and continued to be a steady presence in Liam’s life, proving that their connection was never about proximity, but about true commitment.
Dylan has gone above and beyond as a mentor, teammate, and friend. So when Team IMPACT began collecting nominations for Teammate of the Year, Liam and his family knew without hesitation Dylan was the one.
Liam sees Dylan as a big brother, someone who believes in him, listens to him, and treats him as one of the guys. “You can’t measure the value of being seen, heard, and loved,” Melissa shared. “Dylan has been that person for Liam.”
One of the family’s favorite memories was watching Liam cheer on his teammates, feeling pride in the group he now calls his own. “It was a difficult year for Miami,” Melissa recalled, “but what wasn’t difficult was watching Liam believe in every single player as they took the ice.” One game especially stood out—when one of the guys got checked and Liam demanded accountability. In his mind, if anyone touched #22 or #27 (Dylan), they needed to head straight to the penalty box. That fierce loyalty is a reflection of the deep connection they share.
And that connection only grew stronger off the ice. From spontaneous movie nights and pizza games, to playing pretend games of Pictionary, the team made sure Liam always felt like he belonged—not just as a guest, but as a vital part of the team. “He has found true connections in a life where, before Team IMPACT, he hadn’t had them outside our family,” Melissa said.
Since joining the program, Liam has shown incredible growth. His confidence has flourished, and he’s learned to believe in himself even when it’s hard. He now understands the power of being a teammate, of riding the highs and lows together, and of uplifting others even during personal struggles. Team IMPACT gave him that space. Dylan gave him that example.
“What makes Liam’s bond with Dylan so powerful,” Melissa reflected, “is that it’s not forced. It’s just real.” Dylan is always there, not because he has to be but because he wants to be. In return, Liam feels seen, respected, and empowered. As Melissa beautifully put it, “Dylan is the blessing our son needed: a teammate and a friend—two things he’s never had before.”
Today, Liam proudly tells anyone who will listen about his Miami hockey family. And right at the center of that story is Dylan Moulton—the teammate who made him feel like one of the guys, and the brother he never knew he needed.
