Brian Walsh with the Western Junior Colonials.
DANBURY, CT– Brian Walsh has been ingrained in the Danbury hockey community for over a decade.
He will be taking that commitment to the next level this summer, as he as officially been named Billet Coordinator for Danbury Arena.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” said Walsh. “We want to continue to build our relationship with the fans, and bring local families into the experience of junior hockey. We want to build long-lasting relationships here in Danbury.”
Walsh has done it all in his 10 years of devotion to the game of hockey. He began as a volunteer coach when his son BJ began playing house league at the age of four. He assisted Danbury’s mite hockey program as well as the Future Rangers clinics, eventually working his way up to Danbury Arena’s Hockey Director.
“I’ve coached 4-year-olds to adults to everything in between,” Walsh joked.
Walsh and former Ranger Colton Orr.
In Walsh’s new role, he will be responsible for finding families to house players on the two Danbury junior teams, the Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks of the NAHL and the Danbury Colonials of the NA3HL.
“Brian is a fantastic addition for Danbury’s junior hockey teams,” commented Colonials head coach Kevin Cunningham. “He’s a tremendous human being who will do a great job serving as a resource for our coaches and players as well as families.”
Host families receive a monthly $500 stipend to assist with food and lodging, as well as a discount on team merchandise and a season ticket package for the team.
Perhaps most importantly, billet families have the opportunity to build lasting relationships both with players and fellow hockey families in the community.
“Host families often get even more out of the experience than the players themselves,” Walsh explained. “It’s a very rewarding, engaging experience.”
To participate in the Danbury Billet Family program or for more information, contact Brian Walsh at Coachbrianwalsh@att.net.