Life in the League
Billet Families Explained
Most CHL players live with a billet family during the season. The arrangement is one of the most under-appreciated parts of the league.
A 16-year-old who joins a CHL team is often moving across the country. Billet families are local volunteers who open their homes to players, providing room, board, and a stable home environment during the season.
What a billet provides
- A private bedroom and meals on a daily schedule that respects training and rest.
- Transportation help when teammates or the team van are not available.
- Parental support during a long, hard season far from a player's family.
- Continuity year-over-year: many players stay with the same billet family for several seasons.
How families get matched
Each team has a billet coordinator who recruits, vets, and matches families with players. Teams provide a modest monthly stipend to cover food and household expenses. Families are screened, and most teams have detailed expectations about house rules, curfews, and school support.
Why it matters
Billet families are one of the most under-appreciated parts of the CHL. Many former players talk about their billets as second parents. For young players, having a stable home life off the ice is often the difference between thriving and struggling.