BE A PART OF OUR PHANTASTIC PHAMILY
The mission of the Youngstown Phantoms is to invest in top hockey players and provide them an opportunity to develop their skills while preparing them for their next step in hockey, education, and life. The Phantoms have seen over 200players commit to NCAA Division I schools, and 29 Phantom Players have been drafted into the NHL. Multiple alumni have signed NHL contracts including Brett Murray, Scott Mayfield, Jiri Sekac, Andrej Sustr, Nathan Walker, and Kyle Connor. These players can be strong role models for the children of host families.
Our mission also includes providing a safe, positive home life during the hockey season. Without our billet families, the hockey club would be hard-pressed to succeed. These local families open up their homes allowing our players to join their families. Our billet families spend a great deal of time, energy, and commitment to ensure that our players are able to live comfortably and are able to compete each night.
Phantom players range in age from 16-20, and the housing families act as surrogate parents for the young men during the hockey season. Housing can be a very exciting and rewarding experience for all those willing to open up their homes to dedicated players of the Phantom organization. Many families who have billeted in the past usually look back at their experience with fond memories. In fact, many families still keep in contact with their players as they move through the ranks of college and professional hockey.
Our hockey operations teammatches each player's personality and background with quality homes. Furthermore, each potential billet family is carefully screened and presented with our team's expectations of the housing family. Personal visits are done throughout the season to ensure that both the player and the housing family are meeting those expectations and guidelines.
All players are made aware that their billet families are their new home away from home and are expected to follow and adhere to the general rules and guidelines set forth by the hockey club. Respect for the housing family and their household is a priority and should not be taken for granted.
To qualify, families are required to provide a player with his own room from the start of training camp through the end of the season and provide the player with his meals.Billet families receive a monthly stipend, tickets to all home games for each member of the household, and additional benefits.
There may be instances where the player and family match is not optimal. The organization will be proactive in addressing these situations and find the proper solution to ensure we have positive outcomes for all involved in the housing program. For inquiries on becoming a host/billet family, please contact Kelsey Moreton or Brandon Dennis at kmoreton@youngstownphantoms.com or bdennis@youngstownphantoms.com
