Corpus Christi billet named 2022 NHL Stick Tap for Service award winner

Brittney Norman wasn't sure what she was getting into when she became a billet, but for the wife and mother of two children from Corpus Christi, Texas, it's been a rewarding experience.

"I've learned a lot about myself actually and I feel it's made us better parents," Norman said. "Everyone comes with their own unique story and background, having these multiple young men spend time with our family, I learned to interact with very different backgrounds."
Billets are families who invite junior players into their homes to be part of their family during a hockey season. In this case, with Brittney, her husband Thane, 9-year-old son Caden and 7-year-old daughter Devin.
"It was good, not just for ourselves but for our children," Norman said. "We had two [players] from a different country; it's about having an open mind, having a positive attitude. One of the lessons you learn from the military, you strive to be comfortable being uncomfortable."
Her work as a billet for players with Corpus Christi of the North American Hockey League is why Norman is the winner of the 2022 NHL Stick Tap for Service, presented by Navy Federal Credit Union.
The Stick Tap for Service Program recognizes the outstanding community service of hockey fans and military members. Thane is a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps.
Norman wins a trip to a 2022 Stanley Cup Final game and a $30,000 donation in her honor to The Ability Experience, a philanthropic initiative founded in 1977 by the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity that helps to empower people living with disabilities.

"[Winning this], it's very humbling," said Norman, who volunteers for various other groups including the PTA and is an assistant to judges at area gymnastics competitions. "When my husband entered me in this contest, my first reaction was, 'Oh, there's no way I'm going to win.' There are so many other people out there doing so much more volunteer work. He says I'm too hard on myself, that it's not about who does more, and I understand that. But it is very humbling, and I feel there are volunteers doing more. I do see it as an opportunity to help show others how many volunteer opportunities out there."
Norman and her family moved to Corpus Christi about 18 months ago from Quantico, Virginia. Thane grew up playing hockey and when they attended their first hockey game in Corpus Christi, they heard an announcement about the need for billet families. They filled out an application and a few days later, were told they were needed.
The Norman family billeted a few players temporarily and had a full-time resident when defenseman Matt Harvey joined Corpus Christi in January, after he was acquired from Cornwall of the Central Canada Hockey League.
"He was playing in Canada, but they were shut down [since mid-December] because of COVID, and CC wanted him and bought out his contract," Norman said of Harvey, who may billet with the Normans again if he returns to Corpus Christi. "Matt was really easy. He's really mature for his age (20), he got rides, made friends, clicked with the team very well. I made sure I had food ready for him and he communicated with me very well."
The Norman family has enjoyed junior hockey in Corpus Christi. They're also excited to go to one of the Stanley Cup Final games between the Colorado Avalanche and the New York Rangers or Tampa Bay Lightning.
"We're from North Carolina, so we have cheered on the [Carolina] Hurricanes and I was hoping they'd make it to the Final," Norman said. "I have actually never been to a professional game, I've only been to minor-league hockey games, so we're very excited about that."