BILLET HANGS UP THE SKATES AFTER 14 YEARS OF SERVICE

Bev Moore started billeting when the Whalers moved to Plymouth

Bev Moore never realized when she made the decision to accept a young hockey player into her home that it would change her life in such a positive way.

After 14 years serving as a billet for young hockey players passing through the area, Moore will "retire" this season from the practice that she entered into hesitantly, but grew to love so much.

Over those 14 years, Moore has housed 14 players permanently and six temporarily for the Whalers and other Compuware teams.

Whaler fans will recognize names like Robert Esche, Shawn Gallant, Mike Looby, and Scott Madden among the players she 's hosted over the years. But, Moore developed a special rapport with import players like Libor Ustrnul, Tomas Kurka, Jonas Fiedler, Vaclav Meidl, Jan Látal, Lukas Krajicek and Jozef Sladok, just to name a handful of the international talent who've passed through her doors over the years.

"The year before the rink in Plymouth was built, my 21-year-old daughter, Missy, worked with a girl who housed a player," described Moore of her introduction to the billet process. "Missy used to go to the games and enjoyed it very much. So, when they needed billets in Plymouth, she asked if I would take a player and I said "no". But, she convinced me to speak to Fred who was in charge of the billet program back then. My first question was, 'If I hate it can I have the kid removed from my home?' He said yes, so my first player was Robert Esche."

(Above) Robert Esche was the first player that lived with Bev Moore. (Below) Moore travelled to the Czech Republic to visit a lot of her players' families, including Martin Cizek and his parents.

Moore gained so much herself from the program that she was hooked.

"I began to learn more and more about hockey and I loved knowing the kids and supporting the team," said Moore. "We even traveled to games back then to London, Sarnia, Windsor and the Soo. I have also been to Barrie, Peterborough, Guelph, Kitchener, Belleville, and Owen Sound. For the past 5 years I have not travelled as much, but have been to Windsor, London, Sarnia, Saginaw and the Soo a few times."

The opportunity to get up close and personal with the players and the program was only a small part of the benefit for Moore.

"It has been a great experience for me," started Moore. "I've travelled to the Czech Republic twice to meet the families of Libor and Jonas, and had the most wonderful time ever. I just spent three days in Chicago with Libor's family and his parents were visiting at the same time.

"I have met several parents, scouts, Don Waddell, and Dino Ciccarelli who played for the Wings, but now owns part of the Sarnia Sting. I consider myself to be very lucky to have been part of this program, but I am 62 now. I have great grandchildren, and I have just been told I have a heart condition which zaps a lot of my energy, so I know it is time to retire. I hope to make some of the games next year."

Moore understands from her vast experience just how important the billet parent and family can be for the visiting player.

Libor Ustrnul plays with a little remote car he got for Christmas.

"Libor Ustrnul was the kid I got to know more than the others," Moore related. "We still keep in touch and he calls me Mom #2.

"The second year he was with me, he did not know what to do with himself. I decided to take his mind off things, so we got him a motor vehicle book. He studied it and passed the written test for a drivers license. For the next two to three months several times a week in the evening, we went out and practiced driving and parking. I took him through the worst traffic areas to get used to the congestion on the roads. He passed his driving test. So, the day he picked up his license, I let him drop me off at work and take the car for the rest of the day. He picked me up that night and he was happy the entire day. He appreciated all the little things."

The billet experience includes all parts of living with a teenager nearing adulthood, but the process was always fulfilling to Moore.

"I have tried over the years to treat these boys like they were my own," explained Moore. "They got yelled at when they did stupid things, but I also tried to make them feel that my home was their home. Their friends or family were always welcome. I've met many wonderful people in the last 14 years and, being a widow, this opportunity has let me feel as if I have helped the boys as well as helping myself keep busy. It has given me a social life I would not have had."

The Whalers are looking for new billet (host) families for the 2009-10 season. Anyone interested can contact Natalie Shaver (natalies@plymouthwhalers.com) or Joe Stefan (joes@plymouthwhalers.com) at 734-453-8400 for more information.

By: Bob Miller

Special for plymouthwhalers.com