WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BILLET

A billet family acts as a primary support system for players who have moved away from their own families to pursue their hockey dreams in Chippewa Falls. You aren’t just a landlord—you are a mentor, a fan, and often, a lifelong friend.

Interested in welcoming a player? Contact Kristen Olsen for more information at kristen@chippewasteelhockey.com

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Provide a clean, safe, and stable living space. This includes a private bedroom with a bed, desk, and storage.

NUTRITIOUS MEALS

Athletes burn a high volume of calories. Ensuring they have access to healthy meals and snacks is crucial for their performance.

INTEGRATION

Treat the player as a member of the family. Including them in family meals and local outings helps ease the transition of living in a new city.

COMMUNICATION

Maintain a line of contact with the team’s Billet Coordinator and the player’s parents to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding rules and expectations.

WHY FAMILIES LOVE IT

LASTING BONDS

Many families stay in touch with their players for decades, attending weddings and following their professional careers.

ROLE MODELS

For families with younger children, having an elite athlete in the house provides a firsthand look at the dedication and discipline required to succeed.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

You become an integral part of the team’s “inner circle,” sharing in the excitement of the season.

Testimonials

THE YEAGER FAMILY

In 2018, when our daughter went to college, we had an extra room and the Steel needed beds.  My husband was reluctant to allow a stranger to share our home, but once we started, the rest is history.

Our family has now grown to include 14 young men working to fulfill their hockey dreams.  It’s more than a place to stay and meals; it’s growing your family.  We are their support away from home, advisors when times get tough, and family with bonds that last forever.

The beginning of the season is filled with nerves and unknowns. Goodbyes are filled with tears because you never know if they will return for the following season or move on to new endeavors.

We still keep in touch with most of our boys years later and continue to support them in college and beyond.  Billeting has not only strengthened our love for the sport but also our bond with the players and fellow billeting families.

THE SOLBERG-OSTER FAMILY

A new junior hockey team moved to town and was looking for billet families. Some quick research on billet families led me to understand that billet was a term used for temporary housing. I had a house with extra bedrooms and enough interest in hockey that I took a leap of faith and signed up.

I expected some extra grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning, but what I didn’t expect was all the hidden things that accompanied them. The excitement of getting the name of who is coming. Looking them up on Elite Prospects to find out where they are from, how old they are and what position they play. The awkwardness of move-in day and you meet them, showing them around the house, explaining where things are. The first meal together, where you attempt to crack the code on what they like to eat and remind them they have to be honest because they may get the same meal again. The smell of hockey equipment takes over the garage for a bit and the practices soon turn into games with new players to cheer for.

Before long, you find yourself celebrating the victories and defeats alongside them as they score goals, get injured or are healthy scratches. There are plenty of bumps and bruises along the way, mixed in with the occasional illness, stitches or even surgery. Before long, you realize they’ve become another family member and you’re a part of theirs.

It’s a wild ride that I’m glad to be a part of.