With hopes of chasing their first NOJHL championship since the 1990/91 season when they were the original Sudbury Cubs, General Manager Dace Clancy and the Greater Sudbury Cubs announced that a pair of familiar faces and one new one was added to the roster ahead of the Jan. 10 roster deadline.
All three moves were made official ahead of Thursday’s 5-3 Cubs’ victory over the Powassan Voodoos with the team announcing the return of Sudbury sophomore superstar Nolan Newton, former Sudbury Wolves forward Ethan Larmand, and goaltender Matthew Vahramian who was acquired from the Elliot Lake Vikings for a Player Development Fee.
Newton exploded offensively for the Cubs this season accumulating 39 points (19 G, 20 A – 39 Pts) in just 17 games played before taking his talents to the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts, where the 17-year-old played 13 games, netting a goal during that span. The French River native returns to the lineup fourth in team scoring behind the trio of forwards Samuel Assinewai (41), rookie Hudson Chitaroni (48), and 20-year-old Oliver Smith (30).
“We are excited that Nolan has agreed to return to the Cubs where he will continue from where he left off as one of the premiere offensive players in the NOJHL and CJHL,” Clancy said to Sudbury Star’s Ben Leeson prior to the weekend. “Nolan has clearly demonstrated that his skill set is off the charts at this level, and we are fortunate that the Barrie Colts’ organization has recognized the benefit of returning Nolan to us and assisting us in leading the Cubs to a championship season.”
Expecting to arrive in the city on Monday, Larmand began his overage season with the Sudbury Wolves (OHL) before signing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League with the Halifax Mooseheads back in November, where the 20-year-old had a goal and two assists through 16 games played.
The veteran forward couldn’t help but express his excitement to join the boys on the ice.
“It is great feeling to return to Sudbury and conclude my junior hockey career with the Cubs,” Larmand said in the team release. “I look forward to returning to my second home and doing whatever I can do to help the Cubs earn a championship for the great hockey fans of Sudbury.
“I really enjoyed playing for Coach Moxam for three seasons in the OHL and I look forward to playing for him once again and contributing to the success of the Cubs team.”
The Cubs also bring in 17-year-old Vahramian to shore up the team’s goaltending depth. The 5-foot-11, 155-pounder has played in 18 games for the Vikings with a 4.70 goals against average and .885 save percentage in that span.