By Scott Petersen
On the way home from watching an Ottawa 67’s game three years ago, Sandy Way-Wilson’s son turned to her and asked a question that would change their lives.
Justin, 11 years old at the time, wanted to know where the 67’s players went after they finished at the rink.
“I had never thought about that before,” recalls Way-Wilson. “So I called up (coach) Brian Kilrea and asked where these kids went and he told me, ‘Well, they have billets,’ and asked if I would be interested in being one. I thought, well hey, this would (provide) a great role model for my kid and it turns out it has.”
After attending a team barbecue where Kilrea matches his players with billet families, some of whom live in Centretown, Way-Wilson went home empty-handed. She didn’t think she would be billeting a player until a couple days later when a soft-spoken 16-year-old named Adam Smyth showed up at her door with luggage in hand.
“He was shy, a little bit nervous on how things go,” said Way-Wilson of the young rookie who she now routinely jokes around with.
“He’s definitely a part of the family.”
“Since the first day I’ve been here, it’s been like I’ve been at home,” says Smyth, now a boisterous 19-year-old veteran with the 67’s.
“It was a little bit tough at first because as players, we don’t really know what’s going on. But most of the time, the people who are bringing players in are really easy to get along with, so it puts you at ease.”
Karl and Patty Dowsett have been billeting players for nine years, including former 67’s stars such as defencemen Nick Boynton and Brian Campbell and goaltender Seamus Kotyk. They’ve experienced much of what junior hockey and billeting has to offer.
The Dowsetts have felt the nerves that come as they fidgeted and cringed with each shot on Kotyk to try and will him towards a save, and they’ve had their focus on the defensive zone as Boynton and Campbell logged heavy minutes with the team. This season, they have two forwards living with them.
“We enjoy it and there’s no doubt it has worked out extremely well,” says Karl Dowsett. “Once you get into the junior hockey atmosphere, you get to know the effort these young men are putting out and there’s a certain respect for what they accomplish over the time they’re here besides playing hockey.”
The Dowsetts originally became billets when one of their three sons mentioned the 67’s were short of homes for players. After contacting Kilrea, the family ended up with a player the next day.
“Well, we had the room and we thought (the players) would also be good role models for some of our younger ones growing up,” says Karl Dowsett. “We also thought it’d be great to get involved.”
He adds that a big part of what has made the experience work so well is the family atmosphere the players enter when they become a part of the household. Many of the players beginning their careers with the 67’s are 16 or 17 years old, and are drafted from all over Ontario.
It’s common for it to be a player’s first time away from home for an extended period and anything that helps them adjust is welcomed.
“They were really nice right off the start and easy to talk to,” says Peter Tsimikalis, a 16-year-old rookie who, along with second-year player Corey Locke, is staying with the Dowsetts. “(Good billets) are probably one of the most important things because if you don’t feel comfortable in the situation you’re in, your school will go down and you won’t concentrate as well on the ice.”
Tsimikalis says the decision to enter the OHL and leave his family and friends back home after being drafted was tough, but the Dowsetts have made the transition a seamless one.
“They’re kind of like stand-in parents,” he adds. “You’re close to them, but they’re a little more lenient… and probably a little easier to talk to than regular parents.”
Kilrea says the team supports the families so the players expences don’t come directly “out of their pockets.” He also says the team will take care of any problems the families need help with. If the families do want to switch players, or have a problem, there is an option to change.
“You can change (players) if you want, but I’m not giving this kid up for anything,” Way-Wilson says with a laugh. “He’s staying here.”
“When he’s graduated and doesn’t come back (to live with us), that will be tough and a huge loss for all of us here. (But) I’ll keep doing it until I can’t do it anymore.”