Billeting provides a home away from home for more than 1,200 junior hockey players across the country. This is the story of one of those homes. Over more than a decade, the Grays have opened their home and hearts to nearly a dozen Ottawa 67’s players, providing meals, humour and guidance along the way.
-
- On Sunday, Feb. 26 the 67’s hosted a Billet Appreciation Game to thank the families who play an integral part in players’ junior hockey careers. Credit: Valeri Wutti.
-
- Eighteen-year-old Kyle Auger, from Thunder Bay, Ont., has been living with Joan and Ian for nearly six months. He says he considers the couple his second family and one of his favourite parts of living with the Grays is Ian’s sense of humour.
-
- Ian and Joan Gray billeted Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli for all four years of his junior hockey career. The couple consider Toffoli their son and say seeing him win the Stanley Cup was surreal. Credit: Joan Gray.
-
- Kyle Auger’s mother, Jennifer, says she and her husband couldn’t have asked for their son to be in a better home.
-
- Joan says billeting undoubtedly helped her empty nest syndrome after her two sons moved out. Billet families are given a set amount of money per player in their care in order to help cover living costs. The Grays say billeting is “not a money-maker” and “if you’re lucky you break even.” Credit: Joan Gray.
-
- Nineteen-year-old David Pearce says billet families play an important role in the lives and careers of junior hockey players. The Barrie, Ont., native says the experience of having a second family is unique and something he values because it isn’t something many people have.
Credits
Filmed, edited and produced collaboratively by Amanda van Frankfoort, Brittany van Frankfoort and Scott Wheeler.
Special thanks to the Gray family for welcoming us into their home, as they have done for many young hockey players.
Family photos courtesy of Valerie Wutti and Joan Gray.