Canmore Eagles Billet System
Becoming a billet family is an tremendously rewarding experience for both the family and the player. Billet families come in all shapes and sizes and being a hockey fan is not a requirement! Hosting a player in your home gives our players an opportunity to pursue their aspirations of playing junior hockey and beyond.
All of our players range between the ages of 16 to 20 year-olds. For them to live in our beautiful mountain community while playing for the Canmore Eagles is a dream come true for many of them. Our players, while pursuing their hockey goals, will also be completing high school, enrolled in post-secondary education, or working part-time locally. In addition to those responsibilities they also volunteer within our Bow Valley Community.
It is the mission of the Canmore Eagles to provide the coaching and mentoring on and off the ice that will allow players to achieve and surpass their goals in hockey and education. Being a billet parent is an integral part of helping our players and our organization accomplish that. The benefits of being a Billet Family not only directly benefit your family but also the Bow Valley Community.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a Billet Family?
A Billet Family is a player’s home-away-from-home. A billet or host family home is where a player lives during the hockey season. These players eventually become a part of the family and are excellent role models for their billet siblings.�
Are billet families paid?
Billet Families will receive $500 a month to help with additional household expenses, especially food and drink. Families will also receive season tickets for all regular season home games and a grocery discount card to Save-on-Foods.
Is there a prototypical Billet Family?
No. Billet Families vary from two-parent families, single-parent families, empty nesters, or professional couples. The common denominator is a desire by the family to make a difference in a player?s life and our Bow Valley Community. Often our players will take on the role of Big Brother or mentor to their Billet Siblings.
Can a family host more than one player?
Yes. Two (or more) players can share transportation expenses, and often provide company for one another. The only requirement is that each player has adequate space/living arrangements. Each player is expected to have his own bed, and closet or dresser.
How long does a player stay?
The hockey season spans from September to April (longer depending on playoff run) with players arriving in mid-August. Sometimes arrangements are made for our high-school students to stay until the end of their semester to provide continuity in their studies.
Will players join your family for personal events?
You are welcome to invite players to join your for family celebrations or activities; however, it is not mandatory for you to
do so. All our players will have time off during the winter holidays.
Are there guidelines and communication supplied by the Eagles to assist our family in the process of hosting a player?
Our Billet Coordinator, Monique, is available by phone or email throughout the season to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have, as well as act as a liaison to the team management. There will also be a meeting held between the players, billet families, billet coordinator, and team management at the beginning of each season to go over our Billeting guidelines and responsibilities of both players and Billet Families.
Will players be left home alone if we leave on a vacation?
No, players will be moved temporarily to other billet families? homes while their host family is away.
Do I have to live in Canmore to Billet?
No! The Canmore Eagles are part of the Bow Valley Community and as such have billets in the Canmore, Banff, and Exshaw area.