The Capitals have been in the Atlanta area for the past 10 years and we are asking for help as we are looking for billet host families that live within an hour of the Atlanta Ice Forum. (Hosting a player in your home for the hockey season). The Billet program is an important aspect of Junior hockey as these families’ welcome players into their home to be a part of their family for eight months out of the year. The unique bond that your family will form with the player(s) you host can last a lifetime. It is not uncommon for players to keep in close contact with their former billet families as they share their lives throughout college, a professional career and beyond. A billet family may have young children, older children or be empty nesters.
These dedicated and committed young men will be arriving from around the country late August/early September to pursue their dreams of playing at the collegiate and professional levels.
The Players will…:
- be young men aged 17 – 20
- provide their own transportation.
- do their own laundry and household chores as you deem needed.
- need a home from early September through the end of the season, mid-March to early April
- be out of town approximately 9-10 days/month for away games and will travel home for two weeks at Christmas and New Year’s.
- have a nightly curfew and will abide by strict team rules as well as household rules.
- will have the opportunity to be enrolled in online school and/or hold part-time jobs.
The Billet Families will…:
- Be compensated $450 a month per player.
- Provide player with a private bedroom (2 players may share a room)
- Provide meals for their players. Players are expected to be able to make many of their own meals.
- Receive season tickets for the family to Capitals’ Home games (22 games)
- Perform the vital job of providing these young men with a family and a place to live during their time with the Capitals. A happy home life has a direct correlation with a player’s success on the ice.
A typical weekday for the players will include a video meeting, lunch, practice in the early afternoon, locker room and team chores with a workout to follow. Usually their daily schedules are from 10am to approximately 4:30pm. The players will be involved with the in-house hockey programs as well as the Learn to Play program. They will be skating at least one/two evenings per week when we are in town. We usually play 3 games, either at home or on the road, on weekends only.
If you are unable to host a player, it is understandable and I hope that you might know someone who will. Hockey is a small world and everyone knows someone that might be interested.
If you are interested in applying to billet a player(s) for the 2024-25 season or would like more information on the billet program, please feel free to contact Head Coach John Bowkus directly by phone at 517-819-7727 or by email.