Since major junior hockey came to the Maritimes in the mid-1990s, young men from all over Canada and Europe have been billeting in local homes.

Kyle Ryan and his wife have played host to a long list of Cape Breton Screaming Eagles alumni in their Sydney home. The family is currently housing 17-year-old Egor Sokolov of Russia and 16-year-old Ryan Francis form Halifax. The young parents also have a five-year-old of their own.

"I like to call it ‘the three ring circus,' because of the two boys and Neico. It's always entertaining," says Ryan.

Egor Sokolov came to Canada not knowing how to speak a word of English.

"I feel like I'm at home,” Egor says. “They love me, help me every time when I need something.  If I feel bad after a game, they come talk with me every time.”

Ryan’s household was more of a sea of red back at Christmas, as their billet son Drake Batherson played a crucial role in Canada's gold medal at the World Juniors. Batherson has since been traded, but still remains a part of the Ryan’s growing extended family.

"We have a family in Russia now, a family in Beaver Bank, a family down in the valley, and a family on the other side of the island," says Ryan.

Eric MacRae and his wife Cathy have taken in so many since the Eagles' first season, they recently had to start a second wall to showcase them all.

Of the 31, four went on to play in the National Hockey League, including Pierre-Luc Dubois, a third overall pick enjoying a stellar rookie season with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

They also hosted William Carrier, who’s now with the Vegas Golden Knights.

"We get a lot of Vegas Knights and Columbus games on our TV, so I get to see both of them,”  MacRae says. “When a game's over and they did well, I text them. You never lose touch, and they don't forget you either."

Even though every player doesn’t go pro, lasting friendships are often created. MacRae says that’s what makes it so rewarding.

"Every player that is married now has a child. We get the baby pictures. It's great to still be part of their lives,” he says

The billet families say all the extra work is worth it for the memories.

"It's the people that we've met, and the friends that we've made. Number 1, that's why we do it."