Opening your home to a stranger is one thing, opening your home to three 18-year-old hockey players is another.
But, for billet families, it’s a venture whose benefits outweigh the responsibility and, after doing it once, some can’t imagine their home any other way.
The Salmon Arm SilverBacks range from age 16 to 20 and many of the 18 players need a place to stay during the season.
From late August to as late as May, the team and their host family are a player’s closest support.
“It’s their home away from home,” said Lori Gall, “and it makes a difference to them.”
This will be Gall’s third year billeting and she’s seen about nine players go through her home, including four that stayed long-term.
After being talked into billeting, Gall wasn’t planning on continuing until the player begged to stay with her when he came back the following season.
“I realized that being a billet can really make a difference in a player’s life,” she said.
Billet co-ordinator Evelyn Cook says many billet families continue with the same player season after season.
After hosting someone for seven months, they can’t resist having them back.
“The reason we carried on doing it is because we have so much fun with them,” said Teresa Marshall. “We look forward to them coming back.”
Marshall and her husband will be taking on a billet for the fourth year. It was originally their 13-year-old son’s idea, and she says they have taken up to three players at a time – though billets need only take in one.
“It’s not as disruptive as you think it would be,” Marshall said.
Gall, Cook and Marshall all raved about the exemplary behaviour of all the players, referring to them as respectful, helpful, bright and generally awesome boys.
With a laugh, Marshall adds they are all very good at emptying dishwashers, as well.
Her way of getting to know them is asking them to help her in the kitchen, and it seems to work since, out of the 11 billets they’ve had, more than half still keep in touch.
“When they get a goal or an assist, you think ‘that’s my boy,’” said Marshall.
Cook is a long-time season ticket holder and has seen more than 40 boys come through her home, since she opens it up for overnight stays as well. She says it’s great to see them grow, in their life and their game.
Anyone who wants to include a player in their family life can contact Evelyn Cook at 250-832-5232, or Troy Mick at 250-938-5459.
Benefits of becoming a SilverBack billet include a monthly stipend and season tickets, in addition to the opportunity to be an integral part of a player’s development on and off the ice.