Battlefords North Stars billet family - Saunders. (submitted/ Tammy Saunders)

By Alyssa Rudolph

billet family

‘It’s such a huge experience’: inside a family’s 14-year commitment to North Stars billeting

Jan 22, 2026 | 11:36 AM

This feature is part of an ongoing series to highlight the contribution of Battlefords North Stars billet families.

For many Battlefords residents, a trip to the Access Communications Centre when the North Stars take the ice has been a cherished tradition for years.

Behind the scenes, the season involves more than long days of training; it also means finding a sense of home away from home. For many players, that comes through their billet families.

Tammy Saunders is one of those billets. A mother of four who works in healthcare at the Battlefords Union Hospital, she opened her home this year to two North Stars players, Easton Woytiuk and Eric Marks, providing them with a supportive place to live during the season.

Saunders started billeting 14 years ago when she first moved to North Battleford. She moved to the city with her now, 18-year-old daughter, who has cerebral palsy.

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“I wanted to get involved in the community as I was new to town. It helped to fill a void for me not being able to have those experiences in my own life, being at the hockey rink at 6 a.m.” she said.

Over the years, Saunders’ house not only became a home for her and her children, but also 16 young hockey players.

“It’s such a huge experience. We have players from the team that are friends with our billets and they spend a lot of time here.”

“It’s more than just them living here; it really is a meaningful connection. It adds a new dynamic for our life, and it really gives us an opportunity to connect with the players and follow them through their time here and path into their adulthood,” Saunders said.

Saunders explained that she understands her lifestyle is not typical to the average family and often fears the players will be overwhelmed when they first arrive.

“A lot of these boys aren’t exposed to special needs or even to young children or a new family dynamic. I believe that coming into my home, we have some of the most humbled North Stars that have ever walked the earth,” she said.

The relationship that has formed between the players and the children in the home has been very positive.

“They’re constantly hanging out in the basement with my boys. Last week, I had 12 North Stars here, and both of my two children with special needs were hanging out in the basement with them, sitting on the couch, cuddling them,” said Saunders.

However, the billet family support doesn’t only show in the home, but also at the rink.

“It’s more than just showing up for a team. It’s showing up for your family and your boys’ friends. It’s a small enough atmosphere and environment that the players get to know all of the billet families, and you’re showing up for them,” Saunders said.

Eric Marks, number 15 for the Battlefords North Stars, said his time in the Saunders house has been great.

“I could not have asked for more of a warm welcome into their house. They helped me settle in and get comfortable right away.”

“Funny enough, my truck broke down relatively soon after moving here, and without skipping a beat, they were there to help,” he said.

The Sauders’ family said they would recommend billeting to anyone; ‘although it takes lots of commitment, it is worth the experience.’

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com