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Billet information
Many people in St. Lawrence County would not know the meaning of the word
"billet" , unless you are involved with a Junior Hockey program Canadian
Junior teams have traditionally billeted players throughout their leagues. The
term derives from the French word for "lodging of military personnel,
especially in private homes".

Billeting is a great way to meet people. When you walk in tha arena for a
Junior A Hockey game you will notice groups of people standing around
talking. These people ar usually the billet families talking with
other billets and/or the players families.

The importance of billet families to our Junior Program is immeasurable. Part
of our commitment to our players and their parents is to help provide them
with a good home. Their time with the billet family is a very important time of
their lives. They are away from their friends and family (often for the first
time), so, their billets become their surrogate family. While the billets
receive some monetary compensation, the real rewards are in the lasting
relationships that are formed.

When a family volunteers to house a member of the team, they are required
to provide room and board for the player. This includes, providing nutritious
food that is available for him to prepare or for the billets to prepare for the
player. In Addition, billets must be able to provide the player with his own
room, or can share with a fellow team member. Billets are expected to treat
the players as "one of the family" and not just a "renter". The same goes for
the player, as for as cleaning up after themselves and keeping their room
tidy and such. We have team guidlines and policies that the players must
abide by within our organization, and we expect our billet families to uphold
and enforce these team rules. All billet house rules will need to be
communicated to the player when he arrives.

How long is a billet family's commitment ? This varies depending on the
player; some are with the family during the hockey season only while others
need to complete the school year. Some players go home for the weekend as
often as the game schedule permits and all go home over the holiday breaks.

Families receive a monthly billeting payment for each player. Some have
found it easier to house two(2) players as they then travel together and are
company for each other. There have been some instances when (3) three
players, or even (4) , have been welcomed by one family. Host families have
included traditional 2-parent families and "empty nesters". All that's really
needed is a willingness to help a player
pursue his dream by providing a "home away from home".

Want to talk about being a billet (host ) family? Please call or e-mail me at
(518)578-0068 ask for Jason LeClair jrcoyotes@gmail.com

Your willingness to "rise up" and help these young athletes achieve their
goals. By sharing your home, families and time is all it takes. The players
gratitude will be immeasurable.