Billets

Billets

The Olds Grizzlys are looking for local families to open their homes to players during the hockey season. Billet families provide a "home away from home" for players aged 16–20, helping them feel supported while they compete on the ice.

Being a billet is a rewarding experience. You’ll play an important role in a young athlete’s life and often form lasting friendships—many billet families stay in touch with their players for years to come.

Our billet coordinator carefully matches players with families based on personality and lifestyle. We provide clear expectations, do regular check-ins, and support both the player and billet throughout the season.

What’s Expected from Billet Families:

  • A furnished bedroom

  • Nutritious, high-calorie meals

  • Open communication and a welcoming home

  • Setting house rules and helping players feel like part of the family

What You’ll Receive:

  • A free family season pass

  • Invitations to team events

  • Discounts at select local businesses

  • The chance to create lifelong memories with a Grizzlys player

If you're interested in becoming a billet or want to learn more, please contact our Billet Coordinator, Julie Johnston, at admin@oldsgrizzlys.com

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does a billet player stay?
Typically, a player is assigned a billet family at the end of training camp each August.  AJHL hockey has set trade deadlines throughout the year; therefore, your player may be with your family for as short a time as a few weeks or, in most cases, until the end of the hockey season in March with playoffs continuing into April.  Returning players may decide with their billet families to return sooner than this.

What is the host family NOT required to supply?
While we ask for players to receive nutritious meals and snack options, billet families are not required to supply additional muscle/training supplements/powders or training related items. (Ex. protein drinks, vitamins).

What is expected out of the player?
The player is expected to help their billet family around the house (mowing grass, shoveling snow, washing their dishes, doing their laundry, keeping rooms tidy etc.).  Players are directed to always communicate with their billet families (texting when they will be late for meals or making you aware of when team building activities are scheduled) to ensure that scheduling of household events remain smooth.  We encourage you to incorporate your player into your family’s routine!

What happens if our family leaves for travel while the player is with us?
Billet families and the player(s) are responsible to communicate in advance all necessary housekeeping/travel plans to ensure the player(s) schedule and performance can be maintained. Players may remain in the home alone if the billet family approves or other arrangements can be made to house and provide meals for the billet while the family is away. Please contact the Billet Coordinator to provide contact numbers and dates your family will be away during the season.

Am I required to provide a hot pregame cooked meal?
We encourage players to communicate with their billet family to find out what method works the best for everyone involved. Whether the player(s) cooking for themselves, the billet family cooking, or warming up meals; we ask the billet families to develop a routine that works for your household.  Meal prep and cooking are valuable life skills for your players to participate in.

We are terribly busy and aren’t home a lot during the day and evening, due to our work and kids’ schedules. Can we still billet? We ask that when you consider being a billet family, you understand you are bringing a player into your home and treating them as one of your own. The player’s day is highly routine with daily practices, dry land training, team bonding activities, attending school, and attending community appearances (i.e. reading week in local schools, marketing promos).  This leaves smaller pockets for downtime and for some part time or casual employment.

What happens if we take a billet, and it just does not work out for our family?
Making the billeting experience fun and rewarding for all parties is our utmost goal. If at anytime you feel that you are not able to continue your commitment to billeting, family responsibilities change, or your family and your player are not a good fit; PLEASE contact the Billet Coordinator ASAP!!!  These things happen…life happens! The Billet Coordinator is your liaison between your household and the organization.  The Billet Coordinator is always prepared to assist in moderating difficult situations, finding alternative accommodations, and providing support to our billet families. Without YOU we have no team!!

Whether single, married, a young family, lonely in your empty nest or enjoying your retirement; if billeting is something you may wish to get involved with, we would love to hear from you and answer any outstanding questions!!!

Contact the Olds Grizzlys Billet Coordinator – Julie Johnston at admin@oldsgrizzlys.com  for more information on billeting!