Billet parents names: Lucas and Mary Stubel
Billet parents since: 2019
Current player billeted: Randy Cooke
Lucas and Mary Stubel are among the first-year billet parents for the Estevan Bruins this season, and they are glad they agreed to be part of the billet parent family.
The Stubels have been providing a home for Randy Cooke, a rookie goaltender on the team. Randy’s been great to have around the house, they said, and he has created a great experience for the couple.
“It’s a nice way to give back, and we love having Randy live with us,” said Mary.
The Stubel name is well-known to local Bruin fans. Lucas played for the Bruins from 2008-2011, and was the team’s top defenceman in the 2010-11 season. His brother Chris was with the club from 2002-2005, and was their captain in his final two seasons of junior hockey.
Since Lucas played all of his minor and junior hockey in Estevan, he was never billeted to another home. But due to Lucas’ experience with the club, they thought billeting would be a great way to give back to the organization.
“It’s great that we get to know someone,” said Mary. “Randy has become family which is really cool, so that’s been really special to us.”
They hadn’t been to a lot of games in the past few seasons, either, so billeting has brought them closer to the club.
“I grew up going to the games with my parents, so it got me back in, and being on the other side of the fence is cool,” said Lucas.
They don’t have kids of their own, either, so it helps fill a void in the house, and keeps the Stubel home from becoming too quiet.
Billetting is an experience that they would recommend to others.
“Without billets, the junior teams can’t survive,” said Lucas. “We just talked about it this summer, and threw it around as an idea, and we’re very happy that we went through with it, and had a guy come stay with us.”
Mary said it’s been great learning the game with Randy around and by going to games, and getting to know the players. They hope to continue billeting in the future.
