The BCHL and Save-On-Foods are proud to once again recognize billet families from across the league for going the extra mile to support BCHL players off the ice with the Billet Families of the Month award.
Throughout the season, the league will recognize one billet family from each team and the outstanding work they do to support junior hockey in their community.
Save-On-Foods will donate a $100 grocery gift card card to each of the families honoured as BCHL Billet Families of the Month.
The pandemic has made things much more challenging for players and their billet families, so the BCHL and Save-On-Foods could not be happier to recognize just a few of these great people in our communities.
For the first edition this year, we recognize billets from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express.
Alberni Valley Bulldogs
Family: Ken & Beth Callaghen
Billets since: 2005
Current billeted players: Finn Brown & Hobie Hedquist
Quote:
“Our billet journey began with a phone call one evening in September 2005. A friend who was involved with the local Bulldogs Jr. A team asked if we would consider billeting a young hockey player coming from Saskatchewan (shoutout to Isaac Smeltzer!). We were not really ‘hockey people’ and hadn’t ever considered it, but thought it might be fun for our teenage son. Turns out it was fun for us too!
Ken and I have found life as billet parents to be very rewarding through good times and even a few tough times with trades and injuries. Some boys stay a month and others for three years but every single one has a piece of our hearts. 16 years later and guess what? We are still having fun! Go Dawgs!”
-Beth Callaghen
Chilliwack Chiefs
Family: John & Bonita Hayhow
Billets since: 2011
Current billeted player: Frankie Carogioiello & Kienan Draper
Quote:
“It’s a life-changing experience just to be part of these kids’ lives. They become such a part of your family, but you become part of their family as well. We’ve made some lifelong friendships. No matter where we go, across Canada or the States, we know somebody from our connection to our players.”
-John & Bonita Hayhow
Coquitlam Express
Family: Keara & Mike Killam
Billets since: 2015
Current billeted player: Ian Devlin & Shane LaVelle
Quote:
“Having the boys become a part of our family and being such great role models and big brothers to our son. We can’t imagine our family without them in it.”
-Keara & Mike Killam
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Save-On-Foods is excited to celebrate the commitment of Billet Families across the BCHL. These unsung heroes of junior hockey provide caring, safe and supportive homes for hundreds of young athletes in pursuit of their dreams. Save-On-Foods salutes these amazing members of our communities for ‘Going the Extra Mile’ to keep junior hockey thriving in B.C. To find a store near you or shop online, visit SaveOnFoods.com.
