05/13/2026
We are SO grateful for our local billets - let's hear from them and show them some love!
"Hi! We are the Saldivar family and we live in Charleswood. From September through June, we’re proud to host a 14-year-old student-athlete billet in our home.
We have 15-year-old twins, Bella and Mateo, and a 6-year-old golden retriever, Penny. Hockey is a big part of our family life. Mateo is a student-athlete in his second year at RINK Hockey Academy, so early mornings, long rink days, weekend road trips, and team schedules are very familiar to us. Bella balances and adds to the chaos with her passion for competitive dance - she is at the studio 5 times a week for hours on end. When we’re not shuttling between the rink or the studio, we love travelling and being involved in our community.
When we first considered hosting a billet, we were nervous. Our schedule was already full, our house felt tight, and the idea of adding another teenager was daunting. But welcoming Easton into our family has been one of the most rewarding experiences we’ve had. Watching him grow as a hockey player and as a person, supporting him through the highs and lows of the season, and sharing everyday moments has been incredibly meaningful. Hockey brings kids together, but billet life builds family - Easton now forever a part of ours, and for that reason it’s been completely worth it.
Fourteen-year-olds are still kids, and being away from home at that age takes courage. Student-athletes need structure, encouragement, and a lot of support - but they also need things, like a warm nutritious meal to come home to after long days of vigorous training. Rides to and from school, doctors appointments, social activities and the rink or airport on travel days."
