ICEDOGS’ RECRUITMENT

[three dog night]

Or maybe this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes_Megalopolis

[Blacksox]

Part II Updated (Fan Base)

[Blacksox]

Part II Updated (Alumni)

[Blacksox]

If any fan forum members have any recommendations or ideas for improved recruitment practices on those components listed so far (Part I and II), please share.

[Blacksox]

PART III (Billet Families)

[Blacksox]

Part III EDUCATION (Part I)

[NiceDawg]

Originally Posted by Blacksox

BILLET FAMILY
Billet families are an essential and invaluable part of the OHL. Recruitment is helped by the fact that the IceDogs have secured the assistance of some outstanding local families – that take a lot of pride in their responsibility of assisting these players pursuit of a dream. Entrusted to act as their second family and provide them with love, support, care (and home cooked meals), the billet/player relationship is one of the most important factors in their success as a player – and you see that on the ice (Billet Appreciation) and you hear it off the ice…

Following the OHL Priority Draft the IceDogs hold an informative orientation day, introducing potential players to many of Niagara’s these first rate features, such as Billet families, but would a return of this event be a nice addition to that day?

Unfortunately, this is not an area where Niagara shines. Taking, nothing from the many caring and supportive billet families, there are also some that are double and even triple booked. There has been a shortage of quality homes and recruitment is down. Why? Part of the problem is limiting the catchment area to Governor Simcoe (even those that don't go to high school any more) and for the compensation that is paid to billet families which at times doesn't cover the athlete's food. I am not even delving into the conflicts that have existed! Parents want assurances that their children will (all) be going to good homes and be well cared for.

[Blacksox]

Originally Posted by NiceDawg

Unfortunately, this is not an area where Niagara shines. Taking, nothing from the many caring and supportive billet families, there are also some that are double and even triple booked. There has been a shortage of quality homes and recruitment is down. Why? Part of the problem is limiting the catchment area to Governor Simcoe (even those that don't go to high school any more) and for the compensation that is paid to billet families which at times doesn't cover the athlete's food. I am not even delving into the conflicts that have existed! Parents want assurances that their children will (all) be going to good homes and be well cared for.

I could be wrong, but I don’t recall the situation being as dire as you mentioned. Being paired up in a billet home is not that uncommon, even London does that. Last year, I saw many families with single players, some were paired up and there was one group of three.
Check out the Billet Appreciation pictures from last season…
https://niagaraicedogs.net/gallery/g...arch-10th-2019

As for the compensation, is the amount pre-established amoungst all OHL team? For example, Ottawa pays their Billets $550 per month. Are some teams able to pay more or less? Do you know what Niagara pays?

Also, are you sure they are they limiting the catchment area to those in the Governor Simcoe school zoning? I guess that would make sense, but you are right, that would make recruitment of billets difficult. The Billet application form does not specify a specific area of St. Catharines - and I'm pretty sure there are billet families in Welland and NF.

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[maddog]

May I add to that as well.
You are forgetting NiceDawg that these are teenagers and many many teams have problems with billets and players.
So saying that Icedogs dont shine in this department in my opinion is a little far fetched

[NiceDawg]

Originally Posted by maddog

May I add to that as well.
You are forgetting NiceDawg that these are teenagers and many many teams have problems with billets and players.
So saying that Icedogs dont shine in this department in my opinion is a little far fetched

So if many many teams have problems maddog, why is my opinion far fetched? Other teams may not have the same difficulties, so by comparison, they shine in that category.