Winnipeg Monarchs defenceman Rhett McAuley’s hometown north of Elkhorn is just a couple hours down the Trans-Canada Highway, but that commute is far too long for the 19-year-old’s schedule of games, practices and workouts. “Your time away from home – you make hay while the sun is shining,” McAuley told CTV News. “So, you may as well live out here and make it easier on yourself than stretch the days.” That’s where Dion Traverse, McAuley’s hybrid mentor and roommate, comes in. “I come from a family of 14, and I’m the youngest brother. And I’ve always wanted to, you know, know how it felt to be an older brother,” Traverse told CTV News. Traverse is a billet host for Monarchs players during the hockey season. He provides athletes with a private bedroom, laundry facilities, and a well-stocked kitchen. McAuley helps around Traverse’s house with chores and tasks when he’s away from the rink. “The first two weeks, you feel a little awkward. And then after that, he’s like an older brother to me,” McAuley explained. “We basically do everything together. Like, we get meals, we go out. I feel like this is my second home.” Traverse became a billet host last season after a friend who worked on the Monarchs training staff approached him about the idea. Traverse said he accepted to help young people navigate through the daily grind. “Just giving them a home away from home because I know how hard it is to leave their home at a young age,” Traverse said. Billet programs have been a big part of junior hockey for decades – a world where players often live hundreds, if not thousands, of kilometres from their families. “I’ve had guys all over say that their billets are like a second family to them,” McAuley said. Riley Dudar, the Monarchs general manager and head coach, said most junior players are just entering adulthood and trying to figure out where they fit in the world, both on and off the ice. “Lots of these young guys are moving away from home trying to chase their dreams of playing professional hockey or getting their education paid,” he said. “There’s a lot of stressors and a lot of uncertainty that comes with that.” He said billet hosts don’t only provide supportive and affordable places for players, they also act as a safe and reliable connection outside of the locker room. “Having a great home for these young men only helps them because a lot of these [hosts] are fantastic humans, they are great resources, and they’re someone these guys can talk to,” Dudar said. Dudar stayed with host families across Canada during his playing career and said each experience taught him a thing or two about life. “Learning from different people and adopting some of their values in the way they do things and applying those types of things to my life,” Dudar told CTV News. He said the Monarchs are still looking for billet hosts this season, whether it’s empty nesters, a house full of kids, or more of a roommate situation like Traverse. “I think number one, just good humans, they have good values,” Dudar said. “They want to have fun. They’re able to get along with the players.” Billets receive a monthly stipend to cover costs along with Monarchs season tickets. More information about becoming a billet host is available online.
