April 2, 2026
Adam P. Ledyard | Assistant AD for Communications
Morgan Blair | ETBU Hockey (D2)
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New Zealand Team
Morgan Blair grew up thousands of miles from East Texas, but the language of hockey has always felt like home. Now a defenseman for the ETBU men's hockey program, Blair's journey from New Zealand's rinks to Texas is defined by family, faith, and the thrill of representing his country on the international stage.
Recently selected to compete for New Zealand in the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Men's Nationals, Blair is preparing to wear the black-and-white once again—this time at the senior level. "This is what I've dreamed of since I was a kid," he said. "Representing my country and my family—carrying the flag on my shoulder—means everything to me."
A Family Built on Ice
Blair's hockey story began with a push from his mother—literally. "My mum made me do figure skating for like two years so I'd learn how to skate," he said. "Then I started playing hockey around nine, and I've loved it ever since." The early hours on the ice paid off; today, he credits that foundation for his balance, edge work, and confidence under pressure.
Hockey is a family affair for the Blairs. "I have two younger sisters, and my 16-year-old sister just played in Turkey for the U18 women's national team," he said. "It runs in the family." At home, the competitive spirit is lighthearted—most of the time. "When we're shooting outside, it does cause some arguments when pucks get lost," he joked. "But it's never my fault."
Blair's mom remains one of his biggest inspirations. "She always knows what she's doing," he said. "She's one of my heroes, and everything I do is for her and my family."
Gold in His Heart
Last year, Blair helped lead New Zealand's U20 team to a world championship gold medal—an experience he describes as unforgettable. "With the U20 team, I'd played with or against those guys my whole life," he said. "We had unmatched chemistry."
The tournament demanded perfection: five games, five wins. A dominant practice outing against Chinese Taipei set the tone, and New Zealand rolled through Mexico, Bosnia, Turkey, Bulgaria, and Chinese Taipei again in the final. "Our coach had been gunning for that year because so many of us were aging out," Blair said. "We were bigger, faster, and we knew each other's play style."
The gold medal game was a test of nerves. "It was tied 1-1 after the first, and I was a bit nervous," he admitted. "But we just had to play with our Kiwi spirit. I had a feeling we were going to win, but hockey is unpredictable—you have to work as hard as you can and let the result speak for itself."
When the dust settled, Blair was named tournament MVP—an honor that still humbles him. "It meant the world to me," he said. "Winning gold and bringing it home for my country and family—that's a privilege. Getting MVP showed how hard I've worked, and it gave me the satisfaction that I've done something right over these years."
From New Zealand to ETBU
Blair's path to Marshall, Texas, is a story of connections in a small hockey world. At 14, he played in a global tournament in Japan, where a Canadian team invited him to join its academy. He spent two years in Kelowna, British Columbia, before returning home during the COVID year and then playing juniors in Alberta and Indiana.
Through it all, ETBU head coach Ryan Gruzska kept tabs on him. "When I was a kid, Ryan would take me for skating before school," Blair said. "He's known me since I was 10 or 11." After two seasons in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the call finally came. "Ryan said, 'Come to ETBU,' and I was like, 'Let's do it.'"
The move has been everything Blair hoped for. "The campus is beautiful, the class sizes are small, and your professors actually know you," he said. "The culture here is unmatched. Everyone supports everyone, and it great to be here."
Playing in Shreveport's (LA) George's Pond at Hirsch Coliseum has also fueled his ambitions. "Looking up and seeing those lights and the big stands—it's an unreal feeling," he said. "We might not fill the stands now, but I know I'm going to be in an arena one day where I do."
Returning to the World Stage
This year, Blair is stepping up to the senior men's national team—the Ice Blacks. "It's a big step up from playing against 19-and 20-year-olds to guys in their 30s and 40s," he said. "They're stronger and faster. My size can only go so far, so I've got to keep my head up more. I am a little nervous, but I'm also very excited. We're going to bring home the gold."
The tournament will be held in Sofia, Bulgaria, and Blair's travel plans are as straightforward as they are long. "I leave from Dallas—it's a 15-hour flight straight to Bulgaria," he said. "I'd rather that than layovers."
While he hasn't yet practiced with the full roster, he knows several teammates from last year's U20 team. "Some of them are ex-pro players who've played overseas," he said.
The Ice Blacks will face a diverse field, including Iceland, Israel, Bulgaria, Chinese Taipei, and Kyrgyzstan. "Last year, the stands were packed—especially for Turkey," Blair said. "It was electric. The crowd loved it."
Life Beyond the Rink
Despite his intensity on the ice, Blair radiates humility and humor off it. "I love the pool," he laughed. "And I love olives—like, a lot. If you get me olives, I'll love you forever."
He also loves his country deeply. "New Zealand is beautiful," he said. "We have penguins, the water is so blue, and it's so green. If you ever get a chance to go, do it."
Whether he's delivering a textbook hit or firing a one-timer from the point, Blair's motivation never changes. "I love representing my country," he said. "And I love making my family proud."
For Blair, every stride is a reminder of how far he's come—and how far he still wants to go. "I know I'm going to be in an arena one day where I fill those stands," he said. "That's the goal."
