The Sault’s Alexe Villebrun and Pippa Holmes are eagerly looking forward to playing hockey at the college level starting in the fall of 2026.
Villebrun and Holmes – Superior Heights Grade 12 students – currently play for the U18AA Soo Jr. Greyhounds girls team.
Villebrun, who plays centre, has committed to playing for Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
She’ll be playing on a scholarship and studying in the university’s Exercise Science program.
“It’s really exciting. It's something I've been working towards for a long time. Knowing that I'll have the chance to play hockey at that level and continue my education is pretty special,” Villebrun told SooToday.
One of Villebrun’s proudest moments as a player came during the finals of a tournament in her second year of U15 hockey in a game against a London team.
“We were down by one goal in the third period and with only a second left I scored to tie the game and then I went on to score the shootout winner. It's an amazing feeling every time I score a goal or make a big play,” Villebrun said.
“I've always loved playing hockey and I never want to stop."
Holmes, who is a goalie, has committed to playing for Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan, which is 90 minutes from Detroit.
Like Villebrun, Holmes will be playing on a scholarship.
She’ll be studying in Adrian College’s Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education program and taking a minor in psychology.
“They have a really good hockey program and I've been interested in that school for a while. I’m looking forward to playing there,” Holmes said.
Holmes enjoys playing in goal.
“When I make a big save, especially in a close game, it's an unreal feeling. You can feel the energy shift. The bench gets fired up and it just motivates you to keep on going.
"I’m especially proud when my team really comes together and battles to get the win,” Holmes said.
Villebrun and Holmes are on the ice three times a week at the Northern Community Centre and travel on weekends for road games.
They have excelled as high school students and often do their homework in vehicles as they’re being driven to road games and tournaments.
Villebrun named Marie-Philip Poulin – a well-known Professional Women's Hockey League centre – as her hockey role model, while Holmes admires highly successful PWHL goalies Ann-Renee Desbiens and Aerin Frankel.
“They're pretty amazing girls,” said Jenna Buck, U18AA Soo Jr. Greyhounds girls coach in praise of Villebrun and Holmes.
“I’ve been very fortunate to coach them, to see where they're at now and how much they've committed in regards to their education and hockey. They’re amazing to watch.”
Denis Villebrun, Alexe’s father, said he's equally proud of both girls.
“I would have been just as proud if they were going to play for a Canadian college but there are a lot of fantastic hockey programs in the States.
"A lot of our Canadian women’s hockey players came from American university programs so our girls have had a lot of interest in it that way, and then of course there's the financial side of things where a lot of the schools pick up the entire tab for their hockey and education through a scholarship,” Denis said.
Denis said it’s been gratifying to see Alexe and Pippa’s development as players.
“I've been fortunate enough to see both of them play together growing up. We’ve seen Pippa grow up and develop into a solid goalie and I’m super proud of my daughter Alexe. She puts in the work and she plays a really demanding game.”