What is a billet sibling?

re some of the most important people in a junior hockey organization? Is it the coaches? The front office staff? The fans? While the former are certainly all correct, what’s missing from the list is the billet families. The pseudo families who are responsible for the care and supervision of young hockey players while away from their homes, families and the field of competition. The families who single-handedly make it possible for players to call Odessa home.

If you ask the Midland-Odessa families who billet players in their homes, they will tell you, it’s far more than what it seems on the surface.

Heather Buske served as the Jackalopes’ billet coordinator during the 2019-20 season. She and her husband Darin, however, have been billets for the Jackalopes’ past three seasons. Over those three years, the Buske house was called home by nearly 15 Jackalopes players. Whether serving as a season long home, or as a temporary home to players with shorter stints in Odessa, the Buske family happily welcomed each player.

Buske was introduced to and ultimately started billeting after attending a learn-the-game night at the Ector County Coliseum. A brief conversation with one of the Jackalopes’ coaches led to her becoming a billet.

“I was talking to the coach and I told him ‘I have an extra room,’” Buske said. “Then I get a phone call a few days later from the coach and he said ‘hey it’s just temporary but could he [a prospective player] come in and stay’ and I said ‘sure’. So, we ended up with one, and then two, then ended up with three that first year.”

It was somewhat strange at first for Buske, letting strangers into her home, but she was surprised at how quickly the players became extensions of her own family.

“It’s weird at first whenever someone says ‘hey this kid is going to move into your house’. You’re opening your home, you don’t really know them, you don’t know their family but it’s amazing how they just become part of the family immediately,” Buske said.

The players certainly elicited that sentiment back to their billet family, especially to the Buske’s young children. Adopting the role of big brothers to the Buske’s one-year old and a four-year old children, the players shared and became a part of the family’s most special moments as the kids began reaching their first milestones.

“Over the years they [the players] have seen a lot of their firsts, you know first crawl, their first words and walkings. They’ve been a part of that and cheered them on just like we were, so the connection that we have as far as being a part of our family and them loving on our children… It’s that feeling of them loving your child just as you would, it’s like a big brother,” Buske said.

One of the fondest memories of being a billet for Buske involves her son’s first play at school, an early morning performance attended by here entire family, including her billet players. The fact that they all took a keen interest in the activities of their billet brother was an eye-opening experience for Buske and is testament to the care and dedication junior hockey players have toward their billet families.

“It was early in the morning and the fact that the boys all got up, all wanted to be there, that was my first ‘a ha’ moment like ‘wow these kids really do care about us and I’m not just a house for them to stay in.’”

The Buske’s experience is not unique to their family alone. Kasey Sjoerdsma is also a Jackalopes billet and will be stepping into the role of billet coordinator for the upcoming 2020-21 season. Kasey and her family billeted six different players last season and have had a similar experience to the Buske’s in terms of generating a family atmosphere with the players.

“They really care about your home and they care about you and they really care about the culture,” Sjoerdsma explained. “They’re a long way from home and Odessa is not a typical hockey experience and hockey place.”

Jackalopes forward Isaiah Huempfner, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, credited his billet parents with helping him feel at home in West Texas and mentally coping with being so far away from home.

“When I left home it was really different for me to not be with my family, but having three little kids in the house and a growing family coming up, it was helpful for me in general just to keep my mind off being away from home,” Huempfner said.

Billets truly have an impact on the lives of the players that they care for, much in the same way a parent impacts the lives of their own children. They help the players grow as human beings and as members of society and when they reach life milestones, like college admissions, it is in large part because of their billet’s influence.

Buske recalled the times when she would get calls from her billet boys that they had gotten their acceptances to college and the emotion that came with it.

“I had no idea that was what it was going to entail. In the beginning, it was just ‘do you have a bed and can you cook for them?’” Buske recalled. “But when they get that acceptance to college and you’re one of the first people they call, some of them get excited, some of them cry. You can just hear the excitement and the first thing out of their mouths is ‘thank you so much for everything you did.’ Knowing you are a part of their future… it’s an amazing feeling, I can’t even describe it.”

The Jackalopes bring players from all over North America and Europe to play hockey in the Permian Basin giving billet families the added opportunity to learn about other cultures, growing their own worldview just as the players learn more about life in West Texas.

“I think it’s almost an opportunity to travel within the four walls of your home,” added Sjoerdsma, “because you get to experience the different regions of where they’re from.”

Jackalopes forward Ben Doherty came to West Texas from Minnesota. It was the kindness of his billet parents that helped him deal with the culture and climate shock of adjusting to life in Odessa.

“It was kind of a culture shock for me coming down from Minnesota,” Doherty said. “My billets were awesome in getting us kind of accustomed to and more into the West Texas lifestyle.”

The Odessa Jackalopes recognize the importance of their billets, which is why the organization provides each billet family with resources and assistance to help take care of their players. Being a billet for the Odessa Jackalopes means being a part of a first-class organization that treats their billets as family.

“The Odessa Jackalopes definitely take care of their billets, more than some of the other NAHL groups honestly. They have loved on them and know the importance of what they do and I feel like it’s nice to walk into a place where they know who you are and you’re taken care of,” said Buske.

Being a junior hockey player is a hard life of practice, games and constant dedication to improving your craft. Billets alleviate those challenges by giving players a safe and loving support system to help them through the grind of a 60 game season.

“Having them around was amazing, they were so supportive when we went through the highs and lows of the season. They were right there with us encouraging us and shooting us text messages before the games or after the games or whatever it might be.” Doherty explained. “So having them around, having that support system was absolutely fantastic for not only just like hockey but also mentally too, to be able to have someone to rebound ideas off of, talk after practice or a tough game, just to have someone there was awesome.”

Billets are the life blood of any junior hockey organization, providing players with a safe space to relax, eat and socialize. They help players acclimate the new and sometimes forging culture while also providing them with a strong family bond, teaching life lessons and helping to prepare them to become upstanding adults and citizens, all of which are key to advancement in life as well as in hockey.

“It’s life changing, it’s heart changing and it really is like growing your family in an instant,” Sjoerdsma said, “and whether you love hockey or you don’t that’s not so much what it’s all about. It’s about opening up your home and giving a space and a comfort to kids who are a long way from home and it’s transformative in your heart and in their hearts.”

Heather Buske summed up being a billet in a simpler way.

“They become your kids while they’re there.”

For more information or to apply to be a Jackalopes host family please contact the Jackalopes' billet coordinator 𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐣𝐨𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐬𝐦𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫@𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬.𝐨𝐫𝐠 𝐨𝐫 𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞 (𝟓𝟕𝟓) 𝟕𝟎𝟕-𝟐𝟔𝟓𝟓.

Billeting.

This strange, two-syllable word is vital for junior hockey players.

A long-standing tradition in hockey culture, billeting is a crucial part of a team’s success (both on and off the ice).

So, you’re thinking about becoming a billet family…

Or, you’re a hockey player looking for a billet family…

How exactly does it work? What is billeting? Do billet families get paid?

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming a billet or finding a billet family.

Let’s dive in.

Here’s How Hockey Billeting Works:

Junior hockey players travel far from home to play for their team. Since they’re teenagers, they need a place to stay—so families will take them in as part of their family during the hockey season. Billet families provide housing and support to young players in pursuit of their hockey career.

What Is Billeting in Hockey?

Billeting is when a teenage (or young adult) hockey player lives with a family away from home during the hockey season.

When a junior hockey player gets selected for a team outside of his hometown, he’ll have to pack up and move to the new city to play for his team.

Junior hockey players are typically 16-21 years of age, which means they’ll need a place to stay during the hockey season (and typically are unable to rent their own place).

So, families will take junior players into their homes to become part of their family throughout the hockey season.

Billet families are host families who provide a home and support to young men as they pursue their hockey career.

Do Billet Families Get Paid?

Yes, billet families get paid.

They typically receive a pre-established fee of about $400 per month. The fee is paid directly to the billet family.

This payment isn’t necessarily seen as a way to earn a substantial income, but as a way to help with additional household expenses from the player—like food.

Billets are typically required to provide three meals per day to their players (and snacks).

How Much Do Billet Families Get Paid?

Billet families are usually paid about $400 per month, or about $100 per week per player.

Since billet families can host more than one player, they could receive $800 per month if they have two hockey players they’re hosting.

Who Pays Billet Families?

Billet families are paid by the team. The hockey player who they’re hosting will have their team management pay the billeting family directly.

They usually receive about $400 per month per player.

How Much Do OHL Billets Get Paid?

OHL billets are typically paid about $400 per month per player.

For instance, Owen Sound Attack pays $95 per week per player.

In some cases, there are other perks for becoming a billet family like season tickets.

How Do You Become a Hockey Billet Family?

Becoming a billet family is as simple as reaching out to a junior hockey club and applying to become a billet.

Potential billet families will have to fill out an application and usually have a background check before being accepted.

What Is a Billet Family?

A billet family is a family who hosts a junior hockey player from out of town throughout the hockey season.

Junior hockey players typically have to leave home to play for their hockey teams, so they need a place to stay.

Hockey teams will reach out to families who can take in a player throughout the hockey season to provide housing and care for a young player for a few months of the year.

Can a Billet Family Host More Than One Player?

Yes, billet families can host more than one player.

While most billet families will take in one hockey player, teams typically allow up to two players per family.

This helps players share transportation and food expenses. Plus, it’s a great way for players to provide company for one another.

The main requirement is that each player has enough space in their living arrangements at the billet’s home.

Each player should have their own bed, dresser or closet, and easy access to a restroom.

How Long Do Players Stay With Billet Families?

Junior hockey players usually arrive with their billet families in mid-August.

Host families are required to commit to the entire season, from August to the end of the hockey season.

In most cases, an arrangement is typically made for a host family to take on the player until the end of the school year in June.

Do Billet Families Have to Pass a Background Check?

Yes, billet families are usually required to pass a background check or screening.

Billet families are also required to complete their certification with the national SafeSport program.

What Does a Billet Family Provide?

Billet families are required to provide a few different things for their hockey player:

Room

A billet family is required to provide a private bedroom for their player.

Players shouldn’t be placed in a room with younger members of the billet family. The home must be clean and organized.

Typically, you’re required to provide a bed, closet or dresser, and easy access to a restroom.

Meals

Along with a room to stay in, billet families are also required to provide food for the hockey player.

Billets are required to provide a minimum of 3 basic meals per day to the hockey player. Snacks are usually also expected, though in some cases may not be required.

Monitor Behavior

Billet families are also required to monitor the behavior of the hockey player.

This is the “family” part of being a billet family. The billets are expected to act as parents or guardians of the hockey player. They may create a set of additional rules to fit their lifestyle that the hockey player must follow in good faith.

Transportation

Players are typically expected to provide their own transportation within reason.

However, if a billet host family wants to provide their own transportation, it’s recommended that the player isn’t allowed to drive the billet family’s vehicle.

If a player is allowed to drive the billet family’s vehicle, the family should verify insurance coverage for the player with their insurance company.

Internet Access

Billet host families are also required to provide access to the internet for the player.

When Do Billet Players Arrive?

Each year, billet players will usually arrive in the middle of August.

This date is dependent on the hockey preseason practice schedule.

Arriving mid-August also allows a reasonable amount of time for the hockey player to enroll in high school or college in the city they’re staying in.

Do Billet Players Stay for the Holidays?

You may be wondering… What about the holidays?

Holiday breaks like Christmas and Spring break are usually dependent on the team’s schedule.

Teams usually only allow players to return to their parent’s home maximum twice per season. Players almost always have time off during Christmas.

What Do Billet Families NOT Provide?

While there are many things billet families are expected to provide, there are some things billet families do not have to provide:

Unlimited Food

Junior hockey players can eat a lot of food.

However, billet families aren’t required to provide more than 3 meals per day.

They don’t have to supply unlimited food or snacks, or provide meals on erratic schedules. Players have to eat what’s reasonable and adjust their schedule to the billet family’s eating schedule.

If they want to eat beyond their 3 billet meals per day, they’re expected to pay for it themselves.

Electronics

While billet families are required to provide billet players with internet access, they aren’t required to provide a computer.

Billet players should provide their own phones and computers if they want to use the internet.

The same goes for any other electronics like a television or video games.

While most families will have these electronics available for the billet player’s use, they are not required to allow a billet to use them in their own room.

Non-Essential Items

There are a few other non-essential personal items that billet families are not required to provide such as:

Clothing
Cologne
Medications
Books
Magazines

Of course, if a billet family notices the player doesn’t have sufficient clothing (such as a winter jacket in a cold city), they can reach out to the billet coordinator for support.

What Kind of Support Are Billet Families Provided?

Beyond financial support of about $400 per month, billet families are given a contact person from the hockey club.

Billet coordinators are available for ongoing support to billet families throughout the player’s stay.

Billet coordinators will usually provide regular check-ins with billet families and players throughout the year by phone and in-person.

Looking for more answers to the most common hockey questions? Be sure to check out our other popular blog posts: Is There a Size Limit for Hockey Goalies, Why Is Icing in Hockey Bad, Should Hockey Players Bench Press, and What’s the Best Height for Ice Hockey!