Written by: Scott Savard
Headline photo: Scott Savard
Okotoks, AB (May 4, 2026) – The Okotoks Oilers Billet Program is looking for new families to help welcome in the future generation of the Green and Gold roster for the 2026-2027 season and beyond.
Sheena Denscombe, Oilers Billet Coordinator, is eager to find some new homes for the players next season. Denscombe, who is not only the head of the Billet Program, also knows firsthand what the team is looking for in a perfect placement for an Oilers player in an appropriate household, as she has opened her home to the Green and Gold for multiple seasons.
“First of all, families who like sports. Second, being involved in the community or looking for one, and third is giving back,” Denscombe explained in what the Billet Program is looking for in their next batch of families they are looking to accept as billets. “The assignment process is basically that every home has a criterion. So, for example, I have two bedrooms, I have a dog, so I have to have someone who isn’t allergic to pets.”
“I put all the criteria of the family. Then, for the players, I have a questionnaire that they fill out. Their food allergies, health allergies, I also find out if they have little brothers or sisters, like (replicating) their home life as much as possible. For example, I don’t have children, so I would not put someone who has siblings, little brothers or sisters, with us, because we want to match their life, make their life cohesive with what they’re used to, and what they expect. It just makes the transition (easier), especially when they’re away from home.”
Denscombe would also explain that while most of the placements have done well with having the families and players with similar lifestyles, she did add that the odd time, maybe the placement doesn’t work, and that the families or players shouldn’t feel locked in if it doesn’t work. Denscombe added that when a situation arises, everyone should be upfront and honest, as corrections can be made.
“Usually, I tell everyone they’re temporary, because September, as we know, is volatile. People are coming and going, and sometimes you just don’t get along. I’d rather tell people it’s temporary, and then we move; it’s not personal. It’s nine months, it’s a long time. So do I get it right all the time? No, but by the end, they’re in a place that they probably want to be in. Number one, they need to be in a safe place,” Denscombe explained.
She would add that while there are families who only billet one player at a time, Denscombe prefers to put two players together, as she does at her home. Having a veteran player with a new player is ideal, she explained, as the veteran player can help show the new player the ropes and the expectations of being an Okotoks Oiler, not only on the ice, but in their homes as well. Denscombe explained that she will place a player who has a vehicle with one who may not, as the billets are not expected to chauffeur the players around town or to the rink and back.
Not only does Denscombe situate players who don’t have a vehicle with one that does for travel, but it also eliminates the cluster of too many cars at one house. She added that families who do take on two players may see more food consumption, but said families receive a monthly stipend per player to help with costs..
When it comes to the number of families the Oilers Billet Program is in search of, Denscombe explained it can range depending on whether a family can accept one or more players into their household.
“We have quite a few retiring because their kids have aged out and their kids are now super busy in sports, which I totally respect and understand. So they need a break, and we have a couple moving. I am anticipating we will need six (families). I’m talking possibly 12 beds,” she said.
Denscombe explained that the relationships you build with the players last a lifetime, as she pointed out with her former billet, Sam Hall (Far Hills, NJ).
“Yeah, I just talked to Sam. We were supposed to go watch his playoff games, and they just lost in New York. Hallsy is at St. Lawrence University, and he was injured, but he still reached out and asked me, ‘Hey, Sheena, what do you think I should do for MAT? What do you think I should do?’ We still have that relationship. I know he will be coming back here to visit someday, and I know we will be there. We talk to him all the time,” Denscombe explained.
She added that Hall remembered Denscombe’s 60th birthday and gave her a sentimental gift. Denscombe isn’t the only one who sees the love from the players she has billeted, as she sighted one of the Oilers billets, Joelle Reimer said that she gets Christmas, Mother’s Day, and other greetings from her billets before most of her family.
Denscombe said that Bev Lee, who is known as the “Billet Grandma,” had a story about her billet, Joey Meredith (Toledo, OH), getting a call from Lee’s grandchild after hearing the Oilers were going to be at his school, and convinced Meredith to make sure he was coming. Meredith, who wasn’t booked to be going to the school, made sure to show up and surprise Lee’s grandchild.
As for the financial benefits in becoming a billet for the Oilers, families can expect a $500.00 monthly team stipend, exclusive grocery discounts of 10 to 15 per cent from local grocers, Oilers season tickets for the whole family, team merchandise discounts, other discounts from local businesses, and no driving is necessary.
As for the billets from last season, many recalled the positive memories and relationships they have built.
What do you enjoy most about billeting?
“Meeting the boys and their families and knowing that I am helping them follow their dreams by providing a safe home for them while away from home,” said Bev Lee, who billeted Cayden Joramo (Highlands Ranch, CO) and Meredith.
“What I enjoy most about billeting is the relationships. These young men arrive as hockey players, but they quickly become part of your everyday life. You witness their growth — not just on the ice, but as humans navigating independence, responsibility, and resilience. As they learn and grow, so do I,” Denscombe added.
“Getting to know an athlete, supporting them through their season. Being the Biggest local cheerleaders for your billet,” Stephanie Sawa for billeted Holden Pajor (Eden Prairie, MN).
“I enjoy supporting young athletes, and also supporting our community. Billeting has connected me to some amazing young men, and also their families,” added Sandra Kuzyk, who billeted Nate Porter (Hingham, MA).
“We enjoy the relationship that we build with the players and the feel of being part of the hockey community in Okotoks from billeting,” Mike Bergshoeff said, who took in Jeff Niehaus (Calgary, AB) and Gabe Smith (Brampton, ON) to his home this season.
Would you recommend billeting to other families?
“I would highly recommend the billeting program, especially to those like myself, as they give me the drive to get up and get going every day. For those younger families, it gives their kids someone to look up to and learn from that are not their parents,” said Lee
“Absolutely, if you are open to it. Billeting isn’t just about providing a room; it’s about offering stability, encouragement, and guidance. It requires communication and boundaries, but the rewards far outweigh the effort. If your family has the space in your home and in your heart, it can be one of the most meaningful experiences you’ll have. It has helped me connect with people within our community, too,” Denscombe added.
“I would absolutely recommend billeting. Our family had the time and space to take a player in our home and enjoyed every minute of it. We always wanted the space to feel safe and their own,” Sawa said.
“Yes. It’s not only about connecting with the athletes and their families. It has been great to become part of a billeting community and making some lasting friendships with other billet families,” Kuzyk mentioned.
“Absolutely, especially if you have children. These players are great role models to the kids,” Bergshoeff said.
How has billeting helped your family?
“I am a widow who would normally be living by myself, so having the billets here gives my kids some peace of mind knowing I am not alone. My billets have been welcomed and made part of my family and have even helped out with the grandkids from time to time,” Lee explained.
“Billeting has expanded our family in ways we didn’t expect. It has taught us patience, flexibility, and perspective. It has deepened our appreciation for community and reminded us how powerful support systems are both for the players and for us,” Denscombe said.
“It’s helped our family bond. We enjoyed lots of family time at the rink together. Dinners at the table were common around sports schedules. Having a bigger type brother around for my kids was a cool experience for them. The boys would come over, and my kids would think it was pretty cool to have them at our home,” Sawa added.
“Billeting has helped my family by having the athlete provide mentorship to the younger family member in our household. When you have an only child, billeting helps teach them how to share and learn life skills they may not otherwise have an opportunity to,” Kuzyk explained.
“It made us feel like a part of the Hockey Community. For the kids, they have learned so much from the players, especially my older one, in workouts and diet,” Bergshoeff mentioned.
Lee would also finish off with a funny story about her billet, Brayden Duy (St. Louis, MO), from two seasons ago.
“The funniest thing I remember so far is having Brayden use my snowblower for the first time. Being from Missouri, they don’t usually get the snow that we do, so he had never used one and didn’t know how to turn the funnel, so he ended up blowing snow onto himself! Joey (Merdith) and I had a good laugh,” she said.
For those interested in bringing in the next generation of Okotoks Oilers, you can sign up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tiWFzCV1pzbIbxC3E-_2D_MRfNMWWYoVGad0ZkrEh3g/viewform
If you or your family is looking for more information or has any questions about billeting, email Denscombe at: OkotoksOilersBilletProgram@gmail.com
The Okotoks Oilers are a not-for-profit, community-run junior hockey franchise competing in the BCHL and operating out of Viking Rentals Centre. For more information, visit okotoksoilers.com or follow the Oilers on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
