Montana Jubenvill and Clutch go hand in hand.
The 17-year-old star from Gilbert Plains has achieved many incredible things throughout her sports journey in her hometown. On the volleyball court, Jubenvill helped the Gilbert Plains Trojans junior varsity girls' volleyball team win a provincial championship in her grade nine season.
The team had impressed fans across the province all year and it was no surprise when they were the last team standing at the big dance.
"That felt amazing, it was almost surreal, it didn't feel real," said Jubenvill. "It was such a great team to play with and I will forever be grateful that I had that opportunity."
Fast forward three years and Montana's high school volleyball career has come to an end and her trophy case is packed. On top of the several all-star awards that she earned over the years, Jubenvill will graduate as a four-time provincial champion.
After winning in grade nine, Jubenvill and the Trojans won during her grade 10 year. Then when Jubenvill moved up to the varsity ranks, the winning continued. Montana and her team won the provincial title last year and this past season, the team capped off a four-year run that is almost unheard of.
The team tore through the round-robin stage with pure dominance, winning all eight sets without dropping a single one. They carried that momentum into the quarterfinals, dispatching Morweena with precision before outlasting a strong Ste. Rose Celtics squad in a hard-fought semifinal battle.
With history on the line and a four-peat within reach, Jubenvill and her teammates found themselves in an unfamiliar position—down a set in the championship match against a relentless Reston squad. But adversity doesn’t break champions; it fuels them.
Good teams recover. Great teams rise -- and that’s exactly what the Gilbert Plains stars did. Shaking off the early setback, they roared back to claim the next two sets, cementing their legacy with a fourth consecutive provincial title.
It’s a feat achieved by only a select few in Manitoba High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) history. And on that unforgettable night, the words Gilbert Plains Strong echoed louder than ever.
"Winning the four banners was such an incredible accomplishment, something I will never forget," continued Jubenvill. "I'm so happy that I experienced that and played with all of my amazing teammates."
A true multi-sport standout, Montana seamlessly trades her volleyball for skates the moment hockey season arrives. She’s been gliding across the ice since she was barely a year old, and now, 16 years later, she’s preparing to join one of the top programs in the nation.
But before she takes that next step, she has unfinished business with the Grand Plains Ice Dogs U-18 squad. Jubenvill’s hockey journey has been nothing short of impressive—hoisting a U-11 provincial championship banner, earning a bronze medal with the Parkland Women’s Rangers, and helping her team claim multiple tournament titles in Saskatchewan. Now, with one last run ahead, she’s looking to add another chapter to her already storied career.
Last year, she helped the Ice Dogs win the Rural Manitoba Female Hockey League (RMFHL). They beat the top-ranked Hamiota/Rivers Jetskies in a thrilling series to claim the league title.
"That felt amazing, it was such a special feeling for our group," commented Jubenvill. "We lost to that team in the provincials, so it was redemption for us and felt great."
Back for one final season with the Ice Dogs, Montana has hit the ground running, picking up right where she left off. Last year, she tore through the regular season, leading the league with 18 goals and 31 points, then lit up the playoffs with nine goals and 13 points, claiming the top spot in scoring. This year? She’s back to doing what she does best—finding the back of the net with precision.
Currently, Montana ranks seventh in league scoring, second on her team, and with 14 goals to her name, she’s leading Grand Plains in goal scoring and proving once again why she’s one of the top threats in the league.
"I'm so lucky that I have been put in spots that allows me to produce offensively," said Jubenvill. "I love playing with this team, we have such a special group."
Sitting at 10-4-4, Grand Plains is second in the league this year, only behind the South Central Rockets. They hammered the Rockets 4-1 earlier this year and while catching the Rockets for first place heading into the playoffs is not possible, with only two regular season games left, Jubenvill believes that when it matters, the Ice Dogs will rise to the challenge.
"We all work as a team. We can create offence and play strong in our end," continued Jubenvill. "We all play for each other, we're looking forward to the rest of the season."
You can catch Jubenvill and her team in action on Sunday in Grandview at 5:30 and their regular season ends on Sunday, February 16, also in Grandview at 5:30 against the Southwest Stars. With a league title already under her belt, Jubenvill is doing anything she can to help this team defend their title.
It's her final chance to win a U-18 title with the Ice Dogs, an organization that means everything to her.
"I'm going to miss all of the players that I played with over the years and the coaches as well," said Jubenvill. "This team deserves one more title and that's what we're pushing toward."
Jubenvill is set to graduate with honours from GPCC this spring, and after a well-deserved summer spent with family and friends, she’s making the move to Brandon to enroll in Agri Business at Assiniboine College. But that’s not all, while there, she’ll join one of the top women’s hockey programs in North America, continuing to elevate her game at the next level.
The Cougars' coaching staff didn’t just hear about Montana—they saw her in action. Travelling to watch her firsthand, Jubenvill put on a show. Under the pressure of playing in front of elite-level coaches, she rose to the occasion, impressing everyone. After attending their camp last year and showing off her skills, Montana put pen to paper and officially signed with the team.
She’ll be joining the Cougars for the 2025-26 season, where she’ll be ready to make an immediate impact and continue her hockey journey at one of the top programs in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).
"I'm very excited and very grateful to get the opportunity to play with all of the girls," said Jubenvill. "I've met some of the girls that will be on the team and played against some. We're going to be a great team and I can't wait to get going."
The Cougars are 15-2-2 this year and are the number one ranked team in the Women's Division 2 Independent conference.
