Moose Jaw family welcomes Warriors players into their home for 25 years

By Cory Knutt

Heather and Larry Hoyes have been hosting players with the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors for 25 years, with over 30 billets staying at their home over the years.

Josh Hoekstra, 20, has been lodging at the Hoyes household since 2018.

“We had our son and we knew that we weren’t having any more children, so we looked at it as a big brother opportunity at first,” explained Heather. “Then as we went along with it and my son grew up, we just continued doing it. It almost becomes a part of life for you.”

She says they’ve hosted players from as short as one month up to four or five years, adding they still keep in touch with many of the players that have passed through their home.

“You form a mother/son bond,” Heather said. “With billeting, I feel that you need to be a parental role model, not a buddy. The real true connection that you need to have is communication. To be able to talk to each other and to be able to relate … you have to be able to have that open communication to be able to have a really good relationship.”

Heather notes it’s important for billet families to have the time to make meals for the players and be there for them if they need to vent about hockey or anything else that is going on in their lives.

Before this year, Heather and Larry attended every Warriors home game, but Heather’s recent back surgery has made things a little tougher for the 2022-23 season.

Heather says Hoekstra has been a pleasure to have around.

“He’s just an awesome kid to have in the house,” she said. “He’s been really good since I’ve had my surgery and before because I couldn’t do any lifting or anything. He helps around the house and if I can’t make supper he’s good with that. He’s an awesome kid and you can tell that he’s been raised properly.”

Hoekstra’s mom Cindy says Heather and Larry have been exceptional hosts, with this being Josh’s first experience boarding with a billet family.

“There was one time where he came down for a week to play with the team and they decided to take him on a road trip and he only had a small bag of clothes with him and (Heather) went out and made sure he had clothes so that he would be good on the road trip,” Cindy said.

“She takes him out before they go on their road trips to get snacks for the trip. She always makes sure he has exactly what he needs and she incorporates him into her family. She taught him how to make perogies, and incorporated him in family meals for Thanksgiving, etc. It just means a lot, because it means that he’s taken care of and loved as much as he would be at home.”

Cindy, who lives in Edmonton, wanted to pass along this heartfelt message.

“On behalf of Josh and Marc, my husband, and myself, we just want to thank the Hoyes family so much for opening their home to our son and making him feel part of their family and doing those special little things to make him part of the family,” she said. “It’s certainly made our time with the Warriors exceptional and we thank them for that.”

Heather says they’ll be happy to welcome Hoekstra back into their home for one more season.

“I’m just hoping they go as deep as they can into the playoffs — not only for the team, and the fans need to get out there and support them, but selfishly, I don’t want Josh to go home yet,” she said.

The Warriors are currently facing the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the first round of the WHL playoffs.