September 11, 2002
Hockey players net homes
Out-of-town TC Enforcers part of the family for area residents
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
The Traverse City Enforcers are looking for a few good homes for some of their players from out of town.
The Enforcers, a member of the Continental Elite Hockey League, have a roster of 25 players, 17 of whom come from out of town. These young men range in age from 18-22 and some come from as far away as Europe. Living with a host family around Traverse City gives them a home away from home.
"It is really homey, I am settled in," said Tim Martin, a 21-year-old player from Chicago who will spend the year living with the Glazier family of Traverse City. "It is nice because you are with people who know the area. And they will kick your butt now and then when you need it."
As for the Glaziers, they couldn't be happier to host another player, having opened their home last year to five different players. Like hosting a foreign exchange student, Dave and Angie Glazier have the philosophy that their hockey playing guests are one of the family - for everything from chores to teasing to hugs.
Their children, Lindsay, 14, and Ben, 12, enjoy having an older sibling around to do things with and look up to.
"I like that they liked to hang out and play with us," said Ben, who plays hockey in the Peewee division.
The situation is a win-win one for everyone, said Paul Contreras, the team's general manager, assistant coach and marketing director.
Enforcer players have a rigorous schedule, with practice beginning later this month. By the time games start in October, players will be settled into their homes, holding down jobs or going to either high school or college. Through April, they will be attending daily practices, with training both on ice and off, working in their other commitments around these sessions and various road trips.
The players are required to give their host families a stipend every month to help defray costs of food and utilities. In addition, they are expected to be a helpful member of the family, helping with chores and being a good example for any younger siblings.
"It is a great situation for someone to host a player, especially for a family with someone in youth hockey," he said. "They can be a real role model."
The players' families back home feel good about the arrangement, too, as Mark and Dee Lichty of Traverse City recently discovered. The couple have had two 18-year-old players living with them since Labor Day. With Mark's two children living with them every other weekend, the whole family has embraced the newcomers.
"They are so much fun," said Dee Lichty. "They are wonderful, not afraid to ask questions or afraid to help you do anything. They are also so excited about seeing the kids."
When the parents of one of their guests came to visit recently, Lichty said the mom told her husband how glad she was to meet them and see their home.
"The mom said she will sleep well at night knowing he is with us," she noted.
Brenda Forton said she learned a lot about other cultures from hosting a player last year. The relationship forged from spending eight months together has lasted beyond the hockey season, she said.
"Some players call me their Michigan mom," said Forton, who is the office manager this year for the Enforcers. "All his friends would come to visit and it was nice to build a friendship with the boys. You meet some good kids and get to know their families."