Courtesy of ABQ Journal
Each year, the New Mexico Ice Wolves junior hockey organization brings in 50 young adults to train and play in a competitive setting. The players, most ages 17 to 20, are in Albuquerque from August to April to sharpen their skills as they pursue dreams of competing at the next level, usually an NCAA Division I hockey team.
The junior hockey players are not expected to live on their own, so the Ice Wolves partner with host families.
“They actually come and stay in people’s homes, kind of like a foreign exchange program, where they come and live in a home, and they’re welcomed by the family and supported by the family as they pursue that NCAA college career,” said Tina Tomlin, host coordinator for the Ice Wolves.
The players are from all corners of the country and even international — from Canada, Japan or countries in Europe. They play on either the Ice Wolves’ Tier II team in the North American Hockey League or Tier III team in the North American 3 Hockey League.
Families fill out a form to indicate how much space they have, what pets they have and other questions. Using those answers, Tomlin matches families with players who have similar answers.
Greg Bronson and Tina Tomlin are on their third year of hosting players and are excited to welcome back Minnesota native Jackson Fuller for his third and final year with the family.
“We thought we would do it for two or three weeks and now we’re on our third year and we’ve become really close with (Fuller’s) family,” Tomlin said. “Once you’re in, you become the biggest hockey fans and we all just care so much about these young players.”
Fuller said he enjoys coming to New Mexico.
“Honestly, it’s really exciting,” he said. “I really enjoy being down there and with Greg and Tina, it’s like a second home. You get to learn a lot about different people’s characters and cultures.”
Tomlin said the Ice Wolves are short roughly 10 host families this year.
Francois Devilliers is an Orange County, California native who will come down to Albuquerque to play with the Ice Wolves. This will be his second year being in the host family program.
“Hockey is a weird path,” he said. “The average age for a (Division I) college freshman hockey player is 20 years old. You’re not physically or mentally mature enough and that’s where junior hockey development like the Ice Wolves come in.”
Devilliers said the experience allows him “to live out my dreams focusing on hockey,”
“It was a culture shock coming to Albuquerque, but I was able to acclimate well because of my host family and my teammates,” he said.
He credits much of his success to his parents and host parents, Rick and Ramona Umbridge, who have continued to support him as he chases his dreams.
“They’re very loving and caring and I see them as family now,” Devilliers said. “They’re invested in my growth and development as a person and a player. I have a huge appreciation for them to take a kid in and help fulfill their dreams. Being a host family isn’t an easy thing to do but it really helps the player and we make sure to treat our hosts with respect.”
Host families receive a monthly stipend and discounted Ice Wolves tickets.
To inquire about becoming a host family, contact Tomlin at 505-659-0050, Bronson at 505-554-5314, email HostFamilies@nmicewolves.com or visit https://www.nmicewolves.com/.
