Billet family teaching Blades’ Gerlach a thing or two

The Saskatoon Blades swept their opening-round series over the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League (WHL) playoffs last week.

Max Gerlach was the difference throughout the close-fought games, scoring five goals including back-to-back game winners to put the series to bed.

But if you ask some members of Gerlach’s billet family, the Blades’ sniper could spend less time practising his shot and more time on chores at home.

“There’s one thing I need to teach him,” eight-year-old billet brother Ty Folden said. “Shovel the driveway.”

While Max — born in Flower Mound, Texas — may have to learn to be more receptive of winter chores around the house, his billet family has been happy to have him around as he plays out his final days as a junior hockey player.

Carly and Evan Folden have taken in a Blades player the last three seasons. Evan played for the Melfort Mustangs in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and understands the value of a billet family come hockey season.

“It’s kind of our way to give back to the game that’s done so much for us,” Evan said, pointing to the sport that introduced him to Carly. “Us having Max here has been great. We’ve got to rekindle some relationships with guys that I used to play hockey with that are also billets.”

Carly said she appreciates the effect being a billet family has had on her two youngsters, Ty and six-year-old Jase.

“We’re a big hockey family and that older brother mentality is something we really like for our boys,” she said.

Gerlach has undoubtedly been a hit with the two boys, who are always ready to ask a question when he gets home from the rink.

“(I ask) about his game, if he’s had one, from the night before, or if he wants to play mini-sticks with us because he always likes that,” Ty said.

Jase is more perceptive of how Gerlach spends his time while he’s at home.

“He plays lots of Fortnite and Call of Duty,” he said.

When asked if there is anything he could teach Gerlach, Jase simply shrugged and said, “I’ma teach him how to clean his own room.”

Gerlach wasted no time acclimating himself to the Blades last season before impressing again by leading the team with 45 goals this season.

But adjusting to some parts of life on the Canadian Prairies has been another story.

Carly had to repeatedly explain to him not to plug his car in during positive temperatures after he installed a block heater for the winter. Even in the dead of winter, the Blades’ Texan forward didn’t mind the chill.

“Gosh, we had the coldest February on record and not once did I hear Max complain about the cold and here we were the ones that escaped to Mexico,” Carly said of the mild-mannered Gerlach.

The relationship with Max has flourished since he landed in Saskatoon. The Foldens went from casual Blades fans trying to catch a few games a year to lamenting when they can’t be at a game.

That fandom reached a new level when the Blades’ first playoff series in six years switched to Moose Jaw for games 3 and 4. Evan and Carly traded off which parent would take care of five-month-old Ramsay, and which one would go to Moose Jaw for the two-game set.

Evan admits he was as nervous for the road trip as if he was about to play, and cheered like it was one of his own boys taking the ice.

“Every time he scores, I try to keep myself calm and collected, but I’m always jumping up in the air and people are looking at me like I’m a super fan,” he said. “He’s been part of our family for over a year, so it’s similar to when one of my kids scores.”

At the end of the day, Gerlach has gelled with the family as if he were a son to Evan and Carly.

With the Blades taking aim at the Prince Albert Raiders for their second-round playoff series on Friday, it’s only a matter of days or weeks before Gerlach is packing his things and moving on from the Foldens.

For now, Ty is happy to have a new member on the Folden team.

“It’s just so awesome because it seems like we didn’t even know who he was a few years ago and now he’s our best friend,” Ty said.