SUDBURY, Ont. – Three key contributors to the Greater Sudbury Cubs Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League championship-winning team from last season are all moving on to further their education and continue their playing careers on the ice.
NOJHL MVP and leading scorer Lucas Signoretti has committed to NCAA Division III Buffalo State University; team captain Mason Chitaroni is heading to Nipissing University of the OUA while Samuel Assinewai is off to Northwood University of the ACHA.
All three were named NOJHL 1st Team All-Stars at their respective positions last season.
Lucas Signoretti, Forward: Was chosen both the 2024-25 NOJHL Most Valuable Player and playoff MVP. … Led all NOJHL skaters in scoring last season with 101 points, on 46 goals and a league-best 55 assists in 50 contests. … The 21-year-old Kanata, Ont., product was also tops in power play points (36) and shorthanded markers/points (5/7). … His 11 game-winning goals were just one off the lead in that department. … He had 29 multi-point efforts during the season, including 16 of three, or more. Registered a 15-game point streak. … The Cubs went 39-4-0-1 in games in which he collected at least one point. … Averaged over two points per game in the playoffs to lead all league skaters with 36 in total, in 15 contests. Four of his league-best 17 tallies were game-winners, which also topped the NOJHL.
The Buffalo State Bengals play out the eight school State University of New York Athletic Conference.
Cubs’ head coach Darryl Moxam quote: “Signoretti joined the Greater Sudbury Cubs at the start of the 2024-25 season and quickly became one of the league’s most dominant forces. Crowned league MVP, he displayed unmatched skill and a lethal one-timer that made him a nightmare for opposing goalies. Lucas left fans with countless highlight-reel moments, and we wish him continued success as he takes the next step in his career at the NCAA DIII level.”
Mason Chitaroni, Defence: A solid performer at both ends of the ice, the Greater Sudbury captain helped his club allow the fewest goals-against in the league this past season at 114. … Of those defencemen who played a minimum of half their teams’ match-ups, the 20-year-old from Marathon, Ont., led the way in point-per-game average at 1.20. … Chitaroni established career single-season bests in goals (9); assists (39) and points (48). … He paced all NOJHL blueliners in power play points (21). … Wrapped up the regular season on a 10-game point streak and was the only defenceman to record a hat trick. … The Cubs went 25-3-1-0 in games in which he had a point.
As for the North Bay-based Nipissing Lakers, they are one of 19 men’s hockey members of Ontario University Athletics in USPORTS.
Cubs’ head coach Darryl Moxam quote: Playing a pivotal role in back-to-back championship seasons, he captained the team in 2024-25. He set the standard with his leadership, work ethic, and commitment to the Cubs organization. We wish Mason nothing but success as he continues his career both on the ice and in the classroom.”
Samuel Assinewai, Forward: An offensive force for Greater Sudbury, Assinewai played at close a two-point-per-game clip for the Cubs with 72 in 39 contests to finish third in NOJHL scoring in 2024-25. … The Little Current, Ont., product performed well over that rate in his final 24 contests, getting points in each of them. … That 24-game point streak was the longest in the league last season. … Assinewai, 21, led all players in power play goals (17); sat third in tallies (34); second in man advantage points (28) and third in game-winning markers (7). … In all, he supplied 22 multi-point efforts on the campaign, including a stretch of seven straight at one point.
Located in Midland, Mich., the Northwood Timberwolves compete out of the American Collegiate Hockey Association.
Cubs’ head coach Darryl Moxam quote: Sam Assinewai joined the team for the 2022-23 season and quickly made his mark with unmatched speed and elite puck-handling ability. He played a key role in helping the Cubs capture last season’s championship. We wish him the very best as he continues his academic and athletic journey at Northwood University with their ACHA program.”
Photo credits:
Signoretti: Northern Lights Photography
Assinewai: Erica Perreaux / Hockey Canada Images
Chitaroni: Bob Davies
