The VICTORIOUS HOCKEY COMPANY’s Biweekly Newsletter: A Home Away

Hello Players, Families and Billets,

 

It’s mid-August, and while the summer sun is still blazing, hockey life is beginning to shift gears. College players are moving onto campus, and across the Junior landscape, thousands of players are packing up their lives to head to billet homes for the season ahead. Whether it’s a return to a familiar household or the first time living away from family, billeting marks one of the most significant transitions in a player’s journey.

 

For many, it’s the first real taste of independence. A new city, new routines, new rules, and new expectations. All of this comes while balancing the demands of Junior hockey, school, and personal development. A good billet match can be a game-changer, offering structure, stability, and a second family that lasts long beyond a single season. But when things go wrong, when the structure isn’t clear, the expectations aren’t aligned, or the environment just isn’t right, the consequences can derail an entire year of growth.

 

That’s why this week; we’re shifting the focus from the ice to the home. Billeting is about more than meals and curfews. It’s about the systems, communication, and shared respect that make billeting work. We’ll touch on the basics every player and parent should know. What’s expected, what questions to ask, how to prepare, and how to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

 

You’re not just joining a new team. You’re joining a new household. What’s expected? Be responsible. Be respectful. Keep your space clean, follow curfews, contribute to the home, and keep your schedule visible. Do your own laundry. Communicate openly. Don’t hide things that aren’t going well. Ask questions early: “What time is dinner usually served?” “Can I have friends over?” “Are there any rules about using the kitchen or living room?” Bring only what you truly need—school supplies, personal hygiene products, linens, and whatever helps you feel grounded. Because trades and team changes can happen at any time, it’s smart to pack light. We recommend limiting your load to two hockey bags: one for your gear and one for your clothes and personal essentials. This keeps you flexible and makes moving easier if the season takes an unexpected turn. If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. Talk to your billet, your billet coordinator, or a trusted adult. You are not alone, and silence solves nothing. 

Your involvement doesn’t stop at drop-off. What’s expected? Transparency. Be upfront about medical conditions, allergies, routines, dietary needs, and any red flags that could affect placement. Ask the billet coordinator for a written copy of house rules and policies. Review it with your child before move-in. Know how to reach the coordinator if a concern arises. Have the tough conversations now. “What happens if my son gets sick?” “Who’s responsible for transportation?” “What’s the guest policy?” Prepare by confirming insurance details, academic expectations, and emergency contacts. Then step back. Allow your player the space to grow, but stay in the loop. Be available, not overbearing.

 

You are the foundation of this entire experience. What’s expected? A safe, stable, welcoming home with clear boundaries and consistent routines. Don’t assume players know your rules. Write them down and walk them through it on day one. Ask questions. “What does your daily schedule look like?” “Do you have any food preferences or restrictions?” “How can we help support your goals?” Prepare by having a clean bedroom, a quiet study space, and open lines of communication with the team. And if something feels off, whether it’s a missed curfew or a change in behavior, don’t wait. Bring it to the coordinator. You’re not expected to fix everything, but you are expected to speak up.

 

So, whether you’re getting ready for your first billet experience or returning to one that already feels like home, this is the time to reset, revisit the expectations, and make sure everyone is starting the season on the same page. Print the handbook. Schedule the calls. Ask the hard questions. And remember, this is not just a place to sleep. It’s your foundation for the year ahead.

 

If you treat it like a professional commitment, it will become something far more meaningful. A home away.

 

Enjoy the journey,

Mike

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BILLET MOVE-IN CHECKLIST

Pack personal essentials: toiletries, linens, towels, pillow, laundry supplies

Bring all necessary academic materials: laptop, chargers, notebooks, textbooks

Pack your hockey gear and confirm with the team where it will be stored

Keep a printed copy of your schedule (practice, games, school, work)Bring clothing appropriate for the climate and team dress code

Pack any required medications or medical supplies

Write down billet family address, phone number, and directions

Prepare a thank-you gift or note for your billet family (optional but appreciated)Be ready to ask about:

     - Meal times

     - Curfew

     - Guest policy

     - Kitchen access and rules

     - Laundry expectations

     - Internet access and study space

     - House rules on devices and TV use

 

Disclose medical information, allergies, dietary needs to the team and billet coordinatorComplete and submit any required medical authorization formsConfirm insurance coverage for your player (health and dental)Review team’s billet handbook and policiesGet contact info for:

     - Billet family

     - Billet coordinator

     - Team safety or compliance officer

Clarify how and when you’ll communicate with your playerProvide emergency contact informationReview house rules with your player before move-inMake sure your player knows how to report concerns

 

Prepare a clean, private bedroom and study space

Provide towels, linens, and laundry instructions if not brought by the player

Review and write down house rules

     - Curfew

     - Guests

     - Device use

     - Chores

     - Kitchen/fridge access

     - Quiet hours

Attend team’s billet orientation or review training materials

Complete background checks and SafeSport/MAAPP training

Exchange contact information and schedules with the player and their family

Confirm transportation plan for practices, games, school, or work

Prepare to check in with the billet coordinator in the first week­

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Stepping into the world of junior hockey as a Billet Mom, Brenda Wenk embraced a life filled with unexpected responsibilities and deep emotional rewards. Hosting Western Hockey League players, she provided a supportive home environment while managing meals, schedules, cultural needs, and mental health challenges. Over six years, she formed lasting bonds with rising athletes like Andrew Cristall and Talyn Boyko. Her journey highlights the vital role billet families play in nurturing hockey talent on and off the ice.

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Canada, USA, Sweden, and Switzerland head into the Hlinka Gretzky Cup semifinals after standout round-robin finishes. Canada surged in the third to shut out Czechia 5-0, while Sweden dominated Slovakia 7-0. USA overwhelmed Germany 8-1, led by Blake Zielinski’s three-point effort and Caden Harvey’s two goals. Switzerland shocked Finland with a 4-3 overtime win. Top players like Daxon Rudolph, Liam Ruck, and Levi Harper elevated their squads ahead of Friday’s crucial matchups.

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Team USA kicks off its 2025 Four Nations Tournament campaign Tuesday against Slovakia at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, aiming to defend last year’s title. Selected from a vast talent pool following the Boys National 16 Development Camp, the roster blends skill and work ethic across 11 states. The event offers key exposure beyond the NTDP and serves as a pipeline to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. With home-ice advantage, USA’s depth and speed headline their title defense.

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Starting March 2026, the Big Ten men’s hockey tournament will move to a streamlined two-week, single-elimination format with all games hosted on campus. The new schedule begins with quarterfinals on March 11, semifinals on March 14, and the championship set for March 20-22. The top seed earns a bye to the semifinals, maintaining past structure. This marks a shift from the three-weekend model used since 2018, aiming for greater efficiency while preserving home-ice advantage for higher seeds.

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Players and families, we want to hear from you. If there are any questions, concerns, or if you just want to have a conversation, please feel free to contact us directly. We want to hear from you. Good Luck and Great Hockey!

 

Thank you,

Team VHC