Billet parents’ names: Amanda and Kraig Wanner
Billets since: 2016
Current player billeted: Austin King-Cunningham
Amanda and Kraig Wanner have had a couple of stints as billet parents for the Estevan Bruins, and they have proven to be great experiences.
The first was in 2016, when they had goaltender Daniel Wapple stay at their house after Daniel joined the club midseason. The introduction to billeting came through Amanda’s work in the Bruin office as the club’s office manager.
“Daniel didn’t have anywhere to go, so I took him in, being as I spend so much time with them here,” she said.
After a break for a few years, the Wanners took on defenceman Austin King-Cunningham at the start of the 2019-20 season, because his previous billet family had moved.
Austin is known for his rough-and-tumble physical play on the ice, but he’s been a gentleman off the ice in the Wanner home.
“He’s been probably one of the best billets you could have – super clean, respectful, and just a great kid,” said Amanda.
Billeting gives people a different look at the players and how the team runs, she said. Amanda is with them a lot at the office, but this allows her to get to know them on a different level.
Not only have the Wanners remained in contact with Daniel, and build a relationship with Austin, but they have become close with their respective families as well.
“It’s just a relationship that you keep for the rest of your lives. You might not talk all the time, but you always keep in touch,” said Amanda.
It hasn’t proven to be too much work, either. The couple’s son has moved to university, and Austin has helped fill the gap associated with their son being gone.
She finds the season goes by really fast, too.
Amanda said she would recommend billeting to other people, and they try to treat their billets like they would want their son to be treated if he went away to play hockey.
“If your kid is to go away and do something, you want them to be able to go somewhere that feels like home and somewhere they’ll be comfortable,” said Amanda.
