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 March, we recognize billets from the Victoria Grizzlies, Wenatchee Wild and West Kelowna Warriors.
Victoria Grizzlies
Family: CJ & Michelle Sauk
Billets since: 2015
Current billeted players: Noah Fladager, Hoyt Stanley & Matthew Wood
Quote:
“We started billeting to get more involved with the community and support our local sports teams. We have enjoyed billeting players from across Canada and the US. We not only keep in touch with a lot of the players, but their families as well, which has been amazing. We are excited at the beginning of each new season to either welcome back players or meet the new guys on the team. It’s important to us to be able to provide these guys with a supportive home where they can settle in, relax and put their focus into hockey. It’s rewarding watching the boys grow, mature and reach their goals of getting scholarships and playing at higher levels of hockey. We look forward to each new season, helping the team however we can, and as always, ready to cheer them on loudly and proudly.”
-Michelle Sauk
Wenatchee Wild
Family: Matt & Tonya Coe
Billets since: 2020
Current billeted player: Brett Oberle
Quote:
“We have always opened our home to friends or family when in need of an interim place to live, so it only made sense to open our home to a Wild player. As a result, these young men have become our family. Weeknight dinners, football Sundays, Nerf guns and video games with our son, they are part of our everyday lives and thoughts. We are here, not only to provide a safe place, but to support them on and off the ice. To be able to celebrate their victories with them when they are physically separated from their family is such an honour. Having other team members hangout at the house and establish relationships with our kids has been really fun to watch. Our kids idolize these boys. They call our kids by name and they make them feel special. That has been one of the best parts. These young men and their families will forever be part our lives and, in the words of our six year old daughter, ‘I wish billets stayed forever.'”
-Coe Family
West Kelowna Warriors
Family: Aimee & Brandon Donald
Billets since: 2018
Current billeted player: Tyler Rubin
Quote:
“We have been longtime Warriors fans and we heard there was a player who needed a home. That started our billeting life. We have enjoyed having each player become part of the family. Our kids love having a big brother around and cheering them on at every game. We love that we get to be a small part of the boys accomplishing their dreams.”
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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.
