Hockey players come from all corners of the earth to play for the Minnesota Wilderness in Cloquet. In order to make this possible, families near the Cloquet area generously open their houses for the duration of the NAHL hockey season, giving Wilderness players a home away from home.
NAHL Registration Information [SafeSport & Background Check]
What is a Wilderness Billet Family?
A billet family is a host family and house for an NAHL hockey player during the hockey season. The NAHL hockey season is around 8 months long [September – April-ish] and during that time, the hosted hockey player will take part in many family/household aspects.
In many cases, Billet Parents/Families become very close to their hosted hockey player. Wilderness players take part in daily household chores, mealtime, and will spend time with other children in the house.
Wilderness players often become close with the billet siblings and will attend games to watch them, pick them up from school or sports, and hang out with them at home. In many cases, billets and their hosted player stay actively connected for years after the player has moved on to the next phase of their life!
Players are instructed to use clear communication with their billet family and to obey all household rules Billet families utilize.
What Does a Billet Family Do?
Besides giving a Wilderness player a place to sleep, we ask that you provide daily meals for each player and invite them to be a part of your family. NAHL Hockey players are 16-20 years old and have differing levels of independence.
Some players have traveled with the NAHL and have billeted before, while for other players, it is the first time they will be away from their family. Housing families are compensated $350 per player per month to cover grocery expenses.
Players provide their own transportation to and from the arena. They also provide their own cell phones. While playing for the Minnesota Wilderness, players adhere to a strict set of rules for how theymay conduct themselves in the arena, in public, and in their billet home.
Join the Wilderness Family
The Wilderness Family is looking for temporary/transition billet houses and full-season billet houses for the 2022-2023 season!
If you are interested in becoming a billet house for the Wilderness, please email bmvandell@gmail.com
