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In October 2015, the Aspen Leafs celebrate a new era of hockey when the inaugural Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League begins action. The Leafs will play a 40-game schedule, with 20 home games (Friday and Saturday nights) at the infamous Aspen Ice Garden against the Colorado Thunderbirds, Colorado Rampage, Pikes Peak Miners, Breckenridge Bucks, and the Glacier Yetis (Grand Junction).  The winner of the inaugural RMJHL season will advance to the 2016 Tier-3 Junior “A” national championships sponsored by USA Hockey. 

Tier-3 Junior A hockey in Aspen provides elite 18-20 year old post-graduate hockey players continued advanced development and a direct path to collegiate hockey.  Together with qualified local talent, motivated hockey players with character are recruited to Aspen for a chance to achieve dreams and aspirations.  These players require homes, and in junior hockey, BILLET FAMILIES provide the foundation of support from which those dreams can take flight.

For Aspen Junior Hockey members and supporters- the opportunity to become an Aspen Leafs billet family is as golden as the fall Leaf itself.  As is the case with many players and their billet families, the bonds of friendship formed during their time together only seem to grow stronger over time. From a player’s first college shift through graduation and hopefully into a professional career, billet families are often there to mark the progress and celebrate the milestones as these young men continue on in pursuit of their dreams.

WHAT IS A BILLET

A billet is a family where a player lives during the junior hockey season (September – March).  This is a player’s home away from home where lifelong bonds will be forged.

IS THERE A “TYPICAL” BILLET FAMILY?

Billet families may be two-parent families, single parent families, and “empty nesters.” The common denominator is a desire by the family to make a difference in a player’s life.

ARE BILLETS PAID?

A fee of $400 is paid to the billet family each month during the hockey season.  Billet families are also given two complimentary season tickets for each season they billet.

WHAT DOES THE BILLET FAMILY PROVIDE?

• A separate room and closet for each and a shared bath if hosting more than one player
• Internet access and furnishing as you might find in a dorm room
• Nutritious meals (Aspen Leafs will be responsible for meals when traveling)
• A patient, caring and friendly home atmosphere

WHAT ARE THE PLAYER’S RESPONSIBILITIES?

As a member of the household, players are expected to show respect and consideration for all host family members. They are required to follow all household rules as well as share in the daily chores, maintain their own room and do their own laundry.  All players are required to enroll in school part-time, work part-time, and perform community service in addition to their numerous team responsibilities.  Players must attend all team events and participate nightly as volunteer student-coaches for AJH girls and boys. 

HOW LONG DOES THE PLAYER STAY?

Players arrive for September 1 practice and leave within a couple days after the March playoffs.  

CAN A FAMILY HOST MORE THAN ONE PLAYER?

Yes. Two (or more) players can share living quarters, which often helps offset transportation expenses and provide camaraderie for one another.  With two players sharing a room, a separate area is required for players to have their own down time when needed.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A BILLET FAMILY?

• A new perspective on hockey, as seen through the eyes of your elite player
• A first hand understanding of being a hockey fan, a hockey family and contributor to the growth and development of a young aspiring hockey player
• The opportunity to make a difference in a young man's life
• Lifelong memories of the experience and an opportunity to watch the growth and pursuits of a player wanting to take their hockey abilities to the highest level

WHAT DOES THE PLAYERS SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?

• Players will practice daily during the week and will help coach youth practices every night with Sundays generally being a day off
• Players will be required to either work part-time, take college classes, or perform pre-approved community service
• Most players will have their own transportation.  If not, transportation to practice, games and school and/or work is a detail that will be worked out with each player and is NOT the responsibility of the billet family.

TEAM/PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT:

Aspen Junior Hockey has a team “Code of Conduct” that players must abide by while playing for the Aspen Leafs, and billet families are expected to enforce these team rules.  Upon being accepted as a host family, you will be given the team guidelines which cover such topics as: curfew, social gatherings, problems that may occur, house rules, emergencies, etc.  In addition to the team guidelines, the players will be expected to follow any house rules imposed by billet families.   

HAVE INTEREST???

Contact the Aspen Leafs Billet Coordinator Lori Pevny: Lori@AspenLeafs.com (970) 948-0623

* All families shall be properly screened in accordance with the USA Hockey background screening requirements