A wave of talent is sweeping out of the Sault Female Hockey Association as six of its rising stars lock in college commitments across the United States, each choosing a distinct collegiate program that blends competitive hockey with academic pursuits.
Alexe Villebrun will join Marian University in Wisconsin, where she plans to study Exercise and Sports Science, while Pippa Holmes heads to Adrian College in Michigan to pursue a degree in Elementary Education and play ACHA Division I hockey.
Riley Reed, Sophie Chilelli, Addison Gerrie and Taylor Nieson round out the group, each selecting ACHA programs at Purdue Northwest in Indiana and Lake Superior State University in Michigan, where they will study Kinesiology or Criminal Justice and continue their hockey careers at the Division I or Division II level.
Coaching Legacy and the Future of Women’s Hockey
SFHA President Frank Marson, a veteran of 35 years coaching women’s hockey, reflects on the unique purity of female competition, noting that body contact remains central while body checking is absent. He has guided players who later competed in the Professional Women’s Hockey League, including Emma Greco, Jessie Eldridge, Erin Ambrose and Laura Stacey.
Marson also emphasizes that many Canadian and U.S. colleges offer scholarships and financial aid for both male and female athletes, making the U.S. pathway an attractive option despite ongoing trade tensions between Canada and Washington.
The association is now open for registrations through July 31 for the 2026‑27 season, offering house league teams from U7 to U18 and rep squads from U11 to U18. These programs provide northern Ontario families a clear route from local play to collegiate opportunities, while also fostering community connections through inter‑league matchups.