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(OHL) Real Life Experiences as a Billet Family



By Joelle Wood September 12, 2024
Tags: community Kingston Frontenacs OHL News

Q&A: Billeting with the Kingston Frontenacs

Billeting a player requires an exceptional individual willing to open their heart and home to support a young athlete chasing their hockey dreams.

Welcoming a player into your household and treating them like family creates a strong foundation for their growth, both on and off the ice. This commitment goes beyond providing a place to stay—it’s about offering encouragement, stability, and a sense of belonging during a pivotal time in the player’s life.

Billet families play an essential role in the success of junior hockey teams, fostering an environment where athletes can thrive and focus on achieving their goals.We asked seven of our billet families three questions, and they provided insight into what it is like to be a billet.What is your favourite part about being a billet family, and why?

Chris and Lesley Thompson: Our favourite part of being a billet family is watching these boys develop into young men, both on and off the ice. Being a second family to the boys is so rewarding! We love watching them play, and honestly, it feels like we are watching our own kids play! Kerri and Stacy Merriam: We enjoy watching the players develop and play.Shane Williams: Being a part of the Kingston Frontenac community.

Getting to know the players on a personal level really enhances the entertainment, you support them like they are your own kids.

Richard Cuerrier: Honestly, it’s the relationship we’ve built with our player.  He’s a part of the family and being there to support him through the ups and downs is the most rewarding part of this experience.

Glenn Reid: It’s a chance to be a positive influence on a young person’s quest to pursue his goals…to be there for both the highs and the lows…to both cheer on and to comfort.

Sue Lewis: Being a billet means expanding your family. We’ve been doing it for 10 years and have 17 billet sons that still stay in touch and visit in the summer (one just played in the Stanley Cup final).

Denise Bertrim: We love supporting young people in achieving their goals. The excitement they have for the sport. Connecting with the player and his family to support their goal for success. Being a part of their success and watching them succeed. How rewarding is it to you to be giving back to a player, opening your home to them and allowing them to chase their dreams?

Chris and Lesley Thompson: It is so rewarding being a billet parent. Watching the boys grow and succeed on and off the ice is just awesome. We have made so many new friends with many of the billet parents. We often get together for billet family nights, doing axe throwing, bowling, going out for drinks, getting together to watch the road games as a group, and sometimes travelling together on road trips. Becoming a billet family is something we will never regret!

Kerri & Stacy Merriam: It is fun to be part of the Kingston Fronts Family and watch all the games. The boys grow so much over the time you have them in your home and develop lifelong relationships with everyone.

Shane Williams: While it is extremely rewarding the benefits of the experience far outweigh the efforts required to support the player.

Richard Cuerrier: I had heard from other billets about their experiences with players before we committed and each story was different.  The one common denominator was the pride each one of them felt in the player they billeted and the relationships they’d built with them.  Obviously, these athletes have goals in mind and it’s nice to know you’re counted on to help them reach or exceed those goals and help them cope and overcome when they don’t.  You aren’t just inviting a player into your home, you’re building a relationship that will last a lifetime. 

Glenn Reid: It has been very rewarding. Our billet has been a polite and conscientious young man and we can all remember those that were there for us in a positive way back when we were the ones pushing through to adulthood. To be a small part of helping someone navigate those waters is a gift in itself.

Sue Lewis: The boys bring laughter and energy into your home. Their families become your family. You get invested in their wellbeing and their careers. It’s not a lot of work and the return you get can’t be measured. It’s giving back to the Kingston community and making a difference in the lives of young men that makes it all worth it.

Denise Bertrim: It is rewarding to no end, as we are friends with our previous billets and their families. We still follow Tommy (Budnick) and talk to him often. Roman (Schmidt) and his family still visit.  It is fun watching them beyond their OHL careers.Would you recommend being a billet family and if yes or no, why?

Chris and Lesley Thompson: Of course we would recommend being a billet family, and we talk about it all the time! A lot of people think being a billet parent would take up a lot of their time. They don’t realise that you don’t have to drive them to school, games, and practices, their stinky equipment stays at the rink, and they are usually so busy and tired that they are hardly home! Although, it does take up a lot of our time because we love watching them play and go to all of the home games and A LOT of the away games. Being a billet parent is such a cool experience and we plan on doing it for many more years!

Kerri & Stacy Merriam: Yes, we recommend being a billet family.   The players come from not only Ontario, but the USA and overseas.  They need to have a “billet” family to call home.  They become a big part of your family.Shane Williams: We are often sharing the virtues of our billet experiences to other families who we feel may be a good fit.  Having young children of our own we feel it is beneficial for them to see the dedication it takes to be successful in anything you choose to pursue.

Richard Cuerrier: Yes, absolutely.  It’s a truly rewarding experience that I’d recommend to anyone with an empty room and the time needed to commit to another person living in it.Glenn Reid: Yes, I would highly recommend it. Providing a stable and welcoming home for the player not only helps him concentrate on his daily workload, but also lessens the stress on his family. Plus attending the games is awesome. Win. Win. Win.

Denise Bertrim: Yes we would, supporting our local hockey team is a great feeling. The kids have been great. Watching them grow with their goals. For me trying new menu options with them, it is like having my own personal food tester with my husband.We can’t thank our billet families enough for the commitments they’ve made to our players and the hockey club. If you are reading this and think you’d like to become a billet family, please visit YOUR LOCAL JUNIOR HOCKEY TEAM/ to learn more.

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