Three stars of the Greater Sudbury Cubs who helped lead the team to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League championship last season will be lacing up for post-secondary play this coming season.
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League 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, and; Samuel Assinewai is off to Northwood University of the American Collegiate Hockey Association, the team said in a news release.
All three were named NOJHL 1st Team All-Stars at their respective positions last season.
Signoretti was both the 2024-25 NOJHL Most Valuable Player and playoff MVP. He led the NOJHL skaters in scoring last season with 101 points (46 goals and a league-best 55 assists in 50 contests).
The 21-year-old also led the league in power play points (36) and shorthanded markers/points (5/7).
The Buffalo State Bengals play out the eight school State University of New York Athletic Conference.
“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,” Cubs Head Coach Darryl Moxam said. “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.”
Chitaroni, as captain last season, helped the club in allowing the fewest goals-against in the league this past season at 114. The 20-year-old from Marathon established career single-season bests in goals (nine), assists (39) and points (48).
“Playing a pivotal role in back-to-back championship seasons, he captained the team in 2024-25,” Moxam said in a news release. “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.”
Assinewai was an offensive force for Greater Sudbury, the team said in the release. He played at close to a two-point-per-game clip for the Cubs with 72 in 39 contests to finish third in NOJHL scoring last season. The forward from Little Current enjoyed a 24-game point streak last year.
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).
“Sam Assinewai joined the team for the 2022-23 season and quickly made his mark with unmatched speed and elite puck-handling ability,” Moxam said in the release. “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.”