Raiders open to applications for billet families

When hockey players from out of town sign with the Prince Albert Raiders, they need a place to stay.

For many Raiders that means lodging at the home of a billet family. The team has already put the call out for members of the public who would like to open their homes to players for the 2017-18 season, though they accept applications year-round.

“It’s more meaningful to go to watch a game if you know a few of the players,” Raiders billet Carol Ring said.

“The tough part is seeing players come and be traded or come and be released and sent back to junior ‘A’ but when they do well, you’re happy for them.”

Ring is one of the teams’ longest-serving billets. Her and her husband Ralph started bringing players into their home when the Raiders first formed in 1971. At the time Ralph was a member of the team’s board of directors and Ring was serving as secretary. She said they started billeting because they wanted to help the team and “keep hockey going in P.A.”

For more on this story, please read the Prince Albert Daily Herald¹s subscription-based print or e-editions.