Brianna Belton and her family have always been intrigued by the billeting process as they’ve been surrounded by other families in the area who have opened up their homes as hosts for living arrangements for players of the Shreveport Mudbugs hockey team. Once discussing with fellow billet moms through the Mudbugs Program, Belton was referred to their coordinator where they could complete the necessary paperwork to open their home to host players. 

The Belton Family is currently housing two Mudbug players – Seth Murch from Lee, New Hampshire and Ian Emery from Rochester, New York. Despite being over 1,000 miles away from home, both players agree that their billet family has made their transition to making Louisiana a home away from home much easier.  

One of the first players billeting in Bossier is Seth Murch. Having started playing hockey when he was five years old, Murch has now been playing the sport for fifteen years. His time with the Mudbugs makes it his fourth season in the North American Hockey League and this season is his last year playing junior hockey.

One of the most surprising things for Murch moving to Louisiana has been the southern hospitality and friendliness of those he’s come into contact with. The geography is also a big adjustment that sets their temporary home apart. 

“Being from New Hampshire and especially being so close to Boston, you can see how different it is from the fast-paced city lifestyle of the northeast,” Murch said. “It’s also much warmer down here most of the year.” 

Murch has a passion for weightlifting and golf as well as spending time with family and friends. 

Being hosted under the same roof is player Ian Emery. Emery is playing in his second season in the North American Hockey League. Emery was inspired by both his father and his sister to begin playing the sport.

“I’ve been on skates since I was two years old and always have been playing hockey,” Emery explained.

When he’s not playing hockey, he loves to work out, improve his golf game, and play soccer or hockey with his billet brother. 

Their billet brother is Belton’s son, Huxley, who plays for the Junior Mudbugs. Through this billeting experience, he’s gained built-in best friends and mentors. 

“Our son, Huxley, instantly has older brothers who have his back, but also give him a hard time, play street hockey in the driveway with him, evening hot tub hangs and nightly cold plunges in an ice bath,” Belton said.  

The Belton Family has made an effort to try and take their players to try various restaurants in the area almost weekly. When asked, both expressed that that has become one of their favorite things to do in Bossier. 

“It’s interesting to see and try the different types of food down here in the south,” Emery said. 

From dinners to games, pranks, and holidays, they’ve left their mark on the Belton Family and will continue to be Bossier Proud. Though the day will come where they are no longer living in Bossier, they will have a plethora of memories they’ll take with them. 

“The best part is, they truly become part of our family, and we know that we will see them again,” Belton explained. “We make sure to plan summer trips to see them, and to always find them, no matter where the future leads them. We will always be cheering them on.”