Billet Information

Being a Host Family can be a very rewarding experience. This is a great way to become involved with your team and with your community. You will develop some very specials bonds with the Ice Wolves players and their families and in many cases the bonds you form will be there for a lifetime. For many of the players, this may be their first time living away from home and they need a stable living environment for their move to La Ronge. Part of our commitment to our players and their parents is to provide them with a good home while they are with our organization.

The players will have a structured schedule while they are placed in your home. The team will practice almost every day, except perhaps after road trips and the occasional day off as determined by the coaching staff. The players will as well have scheduled workout sessions to follow throughout the season. Some players may be attending school or taking university classes; hold part time jobs or volunteer within the community. The team has a set curfew that the players are expected to follow. These expectations are in place so that our team can be as successful as possible. To help with the expense of housing a player, our organization provides the Host Family with an allowance per player per month.

The players are encouraged to become involved with the family that has welcomed them into their home. They are expected to share in the daily chores; keep their rooms clean and neat; and do their own laundry. On occasion, the players may have to prepare their own meals, if the Host Family is away or has other commitments.

The team welcomes Host Families, whether it is a traditional two parent family, a single parent, or “empty nesters” that are willing to bring a player into their home and help them in achieving their future goals.

LA RONGE ICE WOLVES HOST FAMILY GUIDELINES

Both players and management have agreed upon the following guidelines. For more information on these guidelines, please contact our Billet Co-ordinators.

It is the responsibility of the Host Family to provide an environment conducive to good performance on and off the ice and to promote team policies and rules. It is the responsibility of the player to be courteous, polite, respectful, and to adhere to their billet’s household rules.
Curfews are for the benefit of the players. There are to be no visitors at the Host Family’s home after curfew hours or at any time unless the players and their Host Family have made prior arrangements and understandings. Curfew will be at 11:00 PM every night with the exception of nights prior to games, when the curfew will be 10:00 PM. After home games, players are to be at their Host Family’s by midnight (12:00 AM). Following away games, players are to be at their Host Family’s home within a half hour of arrival back at the arena. Extended curfew may be assigned on occasion at the coaches’ discretion according to game schedule and performance. Players are responsible for informing their Host Family of extended curfews as they happen. Extended curfew will not be later than 3:00 AM. All players must be at their assigned Host Family’s by curfew – no sleepovers!
Players shall abide by their Host Family’s house rules. Communication is the key to success – things that are not acceptable in your home may have been in theirs. Unless these problems are addressed, they may become bigger issues. (ie: shower use, telephone usage, dishes, shoes/caps in the house, tidiness, etc.) It is highly recommended that you sit down with your player(s) and openly discuss expectations for your home and ensure they are understood.
Players and Host Families should discuss the meals best suited for both. They should establish meal times and pre-game meal requirements. Players should eat a balanced diet. High carbohydrate, low fat diets are ideal. It is important that players have juice and milk available to them.

** Players are to inform their Host Family well in advance if they will not be home for a meal**

FROM THE HOST FAMILIES

“We have been involved with the Ice Wolves as a host family for the past seven years. This has been an extremely rewarding experience for us. We try to provide that “home away from home” experience for them; as they are often far from home and family. We ride through the good times and the bad times with these players as they journey through their hockey careers. Through this opportunity, we have met some wonderful young men who have become just like members of our family. With many of our players, we have created relationships with them and their families which will last a lifetime!“

Brian and Dawna Olson

“For the past 3 years we have had the joy of billeting young hockey players here in La Ronge. What a great experience it has been for our entire family, to open our home and hearts to these young men. As a family we have always enjoyed watching hockey but when you have players on the team that you feel are like family. It makes the game much more enjoyable, whether they have a great game or one where it’s not so great, we are there.

This past year was so exciting to follow our “boys” around; watching them win their league victory. I’ll always remember my oldest son, saying, “I am so playing in the SJHL, that was awesome”, as we drove home after their victory in game 6 against Yorkton to take the Cup! Every one of the young men has been role models, not only for our son, but for all the young kids in the community. We have met a lot of great young men over the last years and hope to meet many more!“

Rob and Jody Wilson

“It has been rewarding and fun. I’ve made lasting friendships with players and their families. My players have been wonderful guys and have gone out of their way to help. A couple of the players even painted my house one summer and shovelled my drive throughout the winter.“

Rosemary Loeffler

Players, if registered, must attend all classes, either high school or university, including after away games. If your player is attending high school, the Host Family must notify Churchill Community High School (425-2744) if the players will be late or absent (even for games). This is very important so that they do not lose credit for that class. Players should give their Host Family a copy of their class schedule. Players who are not in school are encouraged to find a part time job.
Players are responsible for their own appointments (school, doctor/dentist, practices, workouts, etc.).
Leaving La Ronge is not allowed. Players must get permission from coaching staff and notify the Host Family in advance.
Abuse of any substance will not be tolerated. It is a SJHL Rule: any offence of this rule will result in a 30-day suspension of playing in any hockey game.
The most important rule is that of common sense and good communication. Respect is a two-way street.
We encourage Host Families and players to discuss problems and try to resolve them. At no time are Host Families are required to deal with defiant players. If such a situation arises, please contact the Host Family Coordinator first. If the problem is unresolved it will be taken to the coaching staff and then the Board of Directors for further action. As well, if players are encountering a problem with their Host Family they too need to contact the Host Family Coordinator first and appropriate action will be taken to try and resolve the problem.

FROM THE PLAYERS

“My first year in La Ronge was an interesting experience. After an unknown future going into the 2008-2009 season, I ended up in pretty much the furthest reaches of Saskatchewan. And for living in the city of Calgary for most of my life, it was a bit of a culture shock. But, if it was not for that turn in events I would never have met the Brown’s. By the end of the first day of living there I had felt already like I was apart of the family. It did not take long to connect to a point where I could call them family. Even though that season, we finished dead last in the league, I still had a great experience both on and off the ice.

In the summer of 2009, I had a few opportunities to move to other teams. With the losing season before, some did look promising. But I can honestly say that I knew I could not get a better coach or fit with a better family. For those two reasons, I went back to La Ronge for the 2009-2010 season. Our team ended up winning the SJHL Credit Union Cup and going on to the Royal Bank Cup, leaving me with memories I will never forget, as well as with people I will call my family for the rest of my life.“

Dan Conacher (2008-2009; 2009-2010)

In December 2008, I moved to the La Ronge Ice Wolves from the Melfort Mustangs, with no idea as to what to expect of the town and the community. As it was a northern town in Saskatchewan, other players from around the league said that La Ronge would not be half the fun for me as Melfort had been, but they were all wrong.

After playing a season and a half and spending the majority of the past two years in La Ronge, I am proud to say it is my “home away from home”. The community is so supportive of the Ice Wolves and all of the billets are amazing. My billets in particular were unbelievable; Dawna and Brian Olson treated me like their own son and are family to me now. I keep in close touch with them and I plan to visit them many times in the future. La Ronge is probably the nicest town in the SJHL, it is built right into the forest and it is on the shore line of the renowned Lac La Ronge.

Our team spent countless hours after practice and on weekends fishing, boating, snowmobiling, and ice fishing and we had a blast doing it! I am being completely honest when I say that I wouldn’t have chosen anywhere else to play in the league. The town was so good to me over the last two seasons and the memories and friends I have made there will be with me forever. Thank You La Ronge.

Ben Findlay (2008 – 2009; 2009 – 2010)

“Moving to La Ronge was a big change for me. Coming from Vancouver Island I had no idea what to expect when I got there. From the beginning of training camp, my first year, my billets accepted me as one of their own family members. Over the 2 years I spent with the Ice Wolves, I learned from my billets, that La Ronge offered many different activities during the fall and summer. My billets allowed me to use their boat and snowmobiles which was awesome!

There are many negatvie perceptions of La Ronge, but once you are there, you realize they are just myths.

The peple in La Ronge are genuinely good people and the billets I had and met during my stint in LA North were all great people.”

Travis Gordon (2008/2009;2009/2010)

“My three years spent in La Ronge was an amazing experience. A lot of that had to do with the support I received from my billets and the other billets in the community. They made me feel very comfortable and made the transition of moving away from home that much easier.“

Evan Vossen (2004-2007)

FROM THE PARENTS

“Brett came to La Ronge not knowing what to expect. The most positive experience he has had, his billets Scott and Michelle McKay, have made his stay in La Ronge an enjoyable one. They are wonderful to him and also to the teammates that come over to the house.

They are like another mom and dad to him, and I just want to let the La Ronge Ice Wolves organization know that both my husband and I couldn’t have asked for better people. They are kind, helpful and Michelle is a wonderful cook!!!. Always contacting me if there is anything happening and we have a great relationship.

I don’t know how much more praise I can give them, but they are truly amazing. Raey, their son, is like a little brother and Dana, their daughter, is like a sister to Brett.“

Thank you

Mark and Ines McNevin (parents of #21 Brett McNevin)

“As a parent of a player I can honestly tell you that Robert thoroughly enjoyed his season with his host parent, Marlene Wolkosky. Even though I was not able to get to visit La Ronge last season, I often talked with Marlene on the phone and finally was able to meet her at the RBC. She is a lovely person and we appreciated all of her hospitality to Robert while he was living in her home. Mark was able to get to La Ronge for games on two occasions and Marlene was so kind and invited Mark to stay in her home. It was nice for the players that they were able to have their own room which I felt was very important that they have their privacy and space at their age.

When the players were on the road, Marlene was kind enough to do some of their laundry which I KNOW Robert greatly appreciated. It was as well a great experience for Robert to have a couple of other players living with Marlene and they became very good friends. He truly gained some lifelong friends from his time in La Ronge and he has memories that will never be forgotten. I believe that Marlene enjoyed having the players there as well, as they helped with different chores around the house. We are grateful to her and know that our family will have her as a friend forever in Canada.

We are also thankful to the La Ronge community, Robert had absolutely no idea what to expect when he showed up there in August 2009. It was quite an adventure for him. The community was great, the coaching staff was awesome and the season turned out fabulous.“

Bev and Mark Monfore

“I don’t care if your son is 9 or 19; you still want them to be safe and well cared for. Our experience with Nolan’s billet in La Ronge has been an over-the-top positive experience! Colleen has not only taken Nolan into her home but also into her family.

When Nolan leaves our house and says, “I’ll call you when I get home to let you know I made it”, we have the peace of mind that tells us that he is in a great place. Thanks to Colleen for all that she does for our son and for becoming such a good friend and important part of our whole family’s life.“

Chad, Karen, Nolan, Dustin and Ryan Souchotte

My son Antonio DiPaolo #5 had an exceptional experience in La Ronge with the Ice Wolves Team. His billet family was Corey and Carissa Borthwick, a busy and supportive family that had time for meal planning and emotional support!! Antonio still keeps in touch with the Borthwick family. The teambuilding activities were incredible and varied including fishing, camping and sightseeing in the beautiful north of Saskatchewan! Antonio also was able to work at the school during the week giving him great work experience and a bit of spending money. The educational support Antonio received from Brandi Bell to take classes at Northlands College and to complete the SAT scores he needed for NCAA eligibility was absolutely invaluable. He got very high marks in both the classes and the SAT which is pivotal for his eventual signing with Alaska Fairbanks in the NCAA Division I. We would like to sincerely thank the Ice Wolves management, staff, the board and the entire community for all of their support. The Ice Wolves can proudly boast that their organization contributed to Antonio’s success and to furthering his hockey career! Thank You

Gina DiPaola