Main Camp weekend has officially wrapped, and before we look ahead to anything else, we want to say one thing loud and clear: thank you.
Thank you to the 140+ families who packed up the car, booked the flight, cleared the calendar, and gave up their weekend to bring their player to Mallards camp. That number — 140+ families — is not just a stat to us. It’s 140+ reminders of what the hockey community looks like. Hockey doesn’t happen without the people who wake up before sunrise, drive through traffic, sit in cold rinks, and cheer from the glass every single time. This weekend, you all showed up in a huge way, and we noticed.
Whether you drove in from down the road or traveled from across the country, you made Mallards Main Camp what it was. You waited in the lobby, you hauled the gear bags, you kept your player fed, rested, and ready to compete. That’s not a small commitment, and it’s one we don’t take for granted. This organization is built on families like yours, and we are endlessly grateful for the trust you put in us this weekend.
So from the entire Mallards coaching staff and front office: thank you. Thank you for the time, the energy, and the belief in this program. Camps like this simply don’t happen without you.
Now, We Need Your Help for the Season Ahead
As we turn the page toward the 2026-27 season, we’ve got a big ask for our community — and it’s a chance to be part of the Mallards family in a whole new way.
We’re looking for host families to billet our players this season. If you live within about 30 minutes of Forest Lake and have room in your home and your heart for a Mallards player, we want to hear from you.
Hosting a player is one of the most meaningful ways to support this organization. Our billet families become part of a player’s daily life — a home-cooked meal, a ride to the rink, a familiar face after a tough loss or a big win. Many of our billet families say the experience becomes one of the highlights of their year, and plenty of our players stay close with their host families long after their time with the Mallards ends.
If that sounds like something your family might want to be part of, we’d love to talk. Head over to our Host a Mallard page to learn more and get started:
Every host family makes this program stronger, and every player we place in a great home is a player set up to succeed both on the ice and off it. If you’re within that 30-minute radius of Forest Lake, we hope you’ll consider opening your home this season.
Looking Ahead
Main Camp gave us a great glimpse of the energy heading into 2026-27, but honestly, the biggest highlight of the weekend was watching 140+ families come together around this program. That’s the kind of support that makes a season possible.
Thank you again to every family who joined us at camp. And to anyone considering hosting a player this season — welcome to the Mallards family. We can’t wait to get the puck drop started on 26-27.
Go Mallards! 🦆
Interested in hosting? Visit our Host a Mallard page to learn more about our billeting program.
