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Vegreville Vipers Looking for Billet Families

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

The Vegreville Vipers Jr. A Hockey Club is currently looking for billet families to host new players.

One family that recently signed on to host one of the players is the MacRae family. They are hosting goaltender Matteo Medoro. The 16-year-old St. Albert resident said he’s enjoyed every minute of his stay with his billet family since signing on with the club just over three months ago.

Matteo said the time he’s spent living with the MacRae family has been awesome. “It’s been a really good overall experience. It was such an easy transition and I was totally welcomed into the family!

Amberliegh MacRae is a single mother to 10-yearold son Benson and eight-year-old twin daughters Lena and Quinn.

Amberliegh said she thought about hosting a player last season, but had a few reservations since one of her children is immunocompromised. She talked with Vipers General Manager Bryan Brown initially before talking to her children about the idea. Amberliegh said she was at the arena and met Matteo’s father first. After speaking with him she felt their family values aligned and that Matteo would be a good fit. She didn’t make her final decision, however, until she met Matteo.

It didn’t take long to warm up to Matteo who has a warm welcoming demeanor. His positive energy and enthusiasm is infectious, and Amberliegh said he “seamlessly fit” into the family and she’s extremely grateful to have the opportunity to host him.

Vipers goaltender Matteo Medoro and his billet family. Mom Amberliegh with twin daughters Quinn and Lena and son Benson.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

“He’s a great role model,” added Amberliegh. The kids are in total agreement and love having Matteo around. He helps with homework, plays floor hockey with Benson, watches Peppa Pig with the girls, engages in video games and plays their favourite card game Dutch Blitz.

All in all, Matteo said, “It feels like a second home.” He is very appreciative of the opportunity to live with the MacRae family as well as the chance to play on the Vipers. Matteo is hoping to reach the National Collegiate Athletics Association, (NCAA) level of hockey and hopefully obtain a scholarship to study dentistry in the United States.

In addition to online studies, Matteo practices four days a week and trains both on and off ice training by following a customized plan. Matteo said, having a goalie coach to give him specialized instruction has definitely improved his overall performance.

Even if the Grade 11 student doesn’t return to the team next season, Amberliegh said it’s been so great to have Matteo living in their home and has been a great addition to their lives. “We’re going to stay in contact with him no matter what.”

Billet Coordinator Candice van der Torre said hosting a hockey player is a great opportunity for families to showcase their culture and traditions as well as make new connections. “Players often come from families with siblings and they are used to that type of environment and interaction,” noted van der Torre.

The players pitch in around the house doing chores, shovelling snow or doing yard work for their host family. She added that families do receive some financial compensation for hosting hockey players. As well, “All of their hockey equipment is housed at the arena, so they don’t have to worry about that.”

With more new players expected to arrive in the New Year, the Vipers will need local families to help fill the need, and they are hoping some families will consider making the choice to open their home and hearts to these young, hardworking athletes.

Vegreville Rangers Jr. B Hockey Team Supports Local Charities

Members of the Vegreville Rangers Jr. B hockey team members collected bottles and can from the club’s Halloween fundraiser and passed the helmet around the dressing room recently to support of two local charities. On Nov. 26 presentations were made to the Vegreville Food Bank and the Vegreville Christmas Bureau. Front row L-R: Ass’t Captain Dylan Hennig presents Joanna Karaczmak of the Vegreville Food Bank with a $300 cheque. Joanne Veldcamp with the Vegreville Christmas Bureau accepts $300 cheque from Captain Devon Hamaliuk. (Vegreville Rangers/Submitted Photo)