The 2021 Clark Cup champion Chicago Steel hockey team is looking for housing families for the 2021-2022 season. The Steel pay their home games in the Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva.
Erin Keohane, Steel housing coordinator, said Steel players range in ages from 16 to 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 these world-class athletes,” Keohane said.
Keohane matches each player’s personality and backgrounds with quality homes. Furthermore, each potential housing 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 player and housing family are meeting those expectations and guidelines.
All players are made aware that their housing 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 are not optimal. The organization will be proactive to address these situations, and find the proper solution to ensure we have positive outcomes for all involved in the housing program.
The Steel’s mission includes providing a safe, positive home life during the hockey season. Our housing program is second to none. Without housing families the hockey club would be hard pressed to succeed. These local families open up their home allowing our players to join their families. Our housing 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.
Many families who have housed players 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.
For more information, contact Keohane at 708-691-1091 or by e-mail at briananderinkeohane@yahoo.com.
—Chicago Steel