SUDBURY, Ont. – As two-time defending Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League champions, the Greater Sudbury Cubs remain the team to beat.
Each of the other 10 competing clubs this season will attempt to knock the Cubs off their perch as NOJHL title holders; which will be no easy feat.
Coming off a league-best 44-6-1-1 record they comfortably allowed the fewest goals-against at 114 while finishing second in tallies scored with 252.
At a 31% success rate, Greater Sudbury led the way in power play proficiency as well and were also tops on the P.K. at 88.5%.
Offensively they’ll have to replace NOJHL MVP and leading scorer Lucas Signoretti and fellow 1st Team All-Star forward Samuel Assinewai whose junior careers came to a close.
Also gone is their team captain Mason Chitaroni, himself a 1st Team All-Star on defence, who also wrapped up his time in the league due to graduation.
However, with 160 wins to their credit and two league titles over the past four seasons with 2024-25 NOJHL coach of the year Darryl Moxam at the helm, Greater Sudbury still sports a lot of pieces to make them a quality contender once again.
Here’s a look at some of the returning players the Cubs will rely on, along with additional talent brought on board, they’ll use in their efforts to try for a league three-peat.
Head coach: Darryl Moxam
Home opener: Thursday, September 11 vs. Timmins Rock
7:10 p.m. – Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex
KEY RETURNEES
Daks Klinkhammer, Forward
DOB: 08/14/2005
Hometown: Ajax, Ont.
Was a vital cog in the Cubs’ title-winning squad last season. Scored 10 times and assisted on 14 others to finish fourth in league playoff scoring. His 10 tallies were the third-most of any skater in the postseason. Also added 29 points in 30 regular season matchups where he collected another 18 markers and aided on 11 more.
Coaches’ comments: “Daks will be relied upon in every key situation up front this year. His size, skill and willingness to play on both sides of the puck create one of the best power forwards in the entire country. His experience and leadership will be heavily called upon by the staff and his teammates.”
Noah Kohan, Forward
DOB: 08/08/2005
Hometown: Hanmer, Ont.
Back for his final year of junior hockey, Kohan is a veteran of 105 NOJHL contests. He was part of the Cubs’ last two league title-winning teams. Last season he established personal single-season highs in goals, assists and points with 19, 32 and 51 respectively. 10 of the tallies came on the power play, which were second on the squad and tied him for fourth overall in the league. Added a dozen points in 11 playoff games, including seven goals.
Coaches’ comments: “Noah had a breakout season last year both with the Cubs and as an OHL call-up with the Wolves. He will again be relied upon to play in all situations up front. His speed is game breaking, both offensively and defensively and he will be counted upon in more of a leadership role this year.”
Alex Valade, Defence
DOB: 06/01/2007
Hometown: Sudbury, Ont.
Was named to last season’s 2nd All-Rookie team on defence. He finished fourth overall in offensive production among rookie blueliners with 27 points. His seven goals tied for the most by first-year D-men. Led all rookie rearguards in man advantage markers with three. Had the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the NOJHL final against Hearst to help Greater Sudbury win the league championship for a second year in a row.
Coaches’ comments: “Alex is one of the most coachable young men we have ever had with the Cubs. His development last year was second to none and was capped off by his play at the Centennial Cup where he was one of the best defencemen in the tournament. Alex has the tools to anchor our back end, and he will be relied upon to lead in all situations, even though he is only 18.”
NEW TO THE SQUAD
Kaedyn Long, Forward
DOB: 08/13/2005
Hometown: Astorville, Ont.
The 20-year-old Long is set to play his first full season with Greater Sudbury after serving as an affiliate previously. Saw playoff action with the club during their last two league title runs, suiting up in seven games apiece in both the 2024 and 2025 postseason. Also played for the Powassan Voodoos in 2022-23 where he had 28 points in 45 outings, including notching 10 goals.
Coaches’ comments: “Kaedyn has been a key contributor to our team as an affiliate over the last two years, but this will be his first year with us full time. His hockey IQ allows him to play him in every situation up front. He will be counted on to contribute both offensively and defensively. His leadership and professionalism will be critical to the success of the Cubs this year.”
Cameron Vehkala, Forward
DOB: 10/18/2007
Hometown: Hanmer, Ont.
Was over a point-per-game performer with the Sudbury Wolves in the Great North U18 Hockey League last season. With them he had 35 points on 17 goals and 18 assists. Four of his markers were game winners, which tied him for the team lead in that department.
Coaches’ comments: “Cameron had a great year last year with the Sudbury U18 team. He was a leader and a key contributor during their run to a league championship and an all-Ontario berth. He has good speed and skill and competes on both sides of the puck, which will allow him to seamlessly transition into Cubs’ hockey.”
Jonathan Varela, Defence
DOB: 07/23/2009
Hometown: Barrie, Ont.
Joins Greater Sudbury after spending the 2024-25 campaign with the under-16 Toronto Marlboros AAA side in the Greater Toronto Hockey League. The blueliner skated in 32 games with the Marlies where he chipped in with eight assists from the back end.
Coaches’ comments: “Jonathan is a big strong defenceman, who at only 16 years old, did not shy away from being physical at the Sudbury Wolves OHL main camp. The most mature thing about Jonathan’s game is the fact that he knows who he is as a player already which is rare for a 16-year-old. He makes a great first pass and reads the play very well without the puck.”
Photo credit: Caleigh Fera / Points North Media
