The Estevan Bruins are seeking additional billet families for the upcoming hockey season. Billeting provides players, some as young as 16, with a home away from home, enabling them to complete high school, take college courses, or work part-time while playing hockey.
“In most cases, very strong bonds are made between players, the billet families, and the player families,” said Mandee Park, Billet Coordinator for the Bruins. “We’ve been building here for a few years, and the relationships have carried on for many years after the players have left the team.”
There are two billet options: temporary and permanent. The temporary process involves hosting players during tryouts and the early season, with the option to continue if the player makes the team. The permanent option involves hosting a player for the entire season, though trades may lead to changes.
“They are classified as a permanent billet, so they’ll stay with us all season whether or not your player stays or goes,” explained Park.
The Bruins are currently looking for six to ten billet families. Some families have been billeting for decades, while others are newer to the tradition. "One of our Billets right now have been billeting for 30, or maybe even 35 years. I know we do have another couple who’s around that same mark."
Players are generally self-sufficient, preparing their own breakfast and lunch, but are encouraged to share dinner with their billet families.
There is an application form now open with Park encouraging interested families to contact her with questions. She can be reached at (306) 421-6037 or via email at parkmandee0@gmail.com. She also nodded to the billet section of the Bruins site for further information and testimonials which can be found here.