The heart and soul of the New Mexico Ice Wolves are the local families with a bit of extra room in their hearts and homes to host our players throughout the hockey season or at times when the team temporarily has some extra players. Currently, the team is looking for new families who are willing to welcome players to the great state of New Mexico and into their homes this season and beyond.
Junior hockey cannot exist in any community without the help of a network of strong host families. Every season, young men between 16 and 20 years old who are at the top of their game continue on the path of achieving their dream of playing hockey at the NCAA Division I level and eventually beyond. Host families provide a caring, supportive, family environment that becomes the “home away from home” for our young men. Hosting a player can be an exciting and rewarding experience that often leads to lifelong friendships between a player and his host family.
As a former player in this same league Coach Phil Fox knows how vital host families are as a support system for players who are away from their homes and families. To this day he remains in contact with all of his host families and knows how important and rewarding it is for families to open up their homes and hearts to these high level hockey players playing in Albuquerque.
The health and safety of our players and host families is always an absolute priority, but the team is taking extra precautions this season by following a strict Covid protocol that was established by the NAHL and adjusted to stay within the NM public health orders. Initial testing for all players and all host family members is mandated before they are put together and then all players are tested weekly as are host family members that want the tests. Because these are young men, many have documentation of having had Covid before arriving in NM. For families that have not had Covid, the team can match them with a player who has or vice versa. Safe Covid practices are a priority for the team, the league and the host families who take a player into their homes.
To learn more about becoming a host family and frequently asked questions please click here