NOJHL names its annual award winners

The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League announced Monday its individual and team award recipients for the 2024-25 regular season.

Garnering the league’s top individual honour, as the recipient of the Carlo Cattarello Trophy, emblematic as the league’s Most Valuable Player, is Lucas Signoretti of the Greater Sudbury Cubs.

Signoretti becomes only the second player in league history to capture back-to-back MVP laurels, joining Marty Reynolds who accomplished the feat with the North Bay Trappers back in 1964-65 & 1965-66.

This is also the first time someone has earned the honours with two different clubs in consecutive years.

He accomplished the same feat last season with the Espanola Paper Kings.

The following is the complete list of the 2024-25 NOJHL award honourees:

Carlo Cattarello Trophy – NOJHL MVP: Lucas Signoretti, Greater Sudbury Cubs – Excelling in all situations, the talented centre topped all NOJHL skaters in points at even strength; on the power play, and while shorthanded. … Leading in overall scoring this season with 101 points, he notched 46 goals and had a league-best 55 assists in 50 contests. … The 20-year-old from Kanata, Ont., was first in man advantage 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. … Signoretti registered a 15-game point streak at one point during the campaign. … The Cubs went 39-4-0-1 in games in which he collected at least one point.

NOJHL Trophy – Best Defenceman: Adam Shillinglaw, Hearst Lumberjacks – A stellar campaign on the back-end for the Lumberjacks saw Shillinglaw lead all NOJHL rearguards in goals (21); points (56); shorthanded efforts (2) and game-winning markers (4). … He also tied for top spot in power play tallies among D-men (6). … The 20-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., wrapped up his regular season career with 150 points in 201 outings, having scored 39 times and helping set-up 111 others. … No other blueliner has had more assists (111) over the past four seasons. … Was twice named the NOJHL’s BrokerLink Insurance Defenceman of the Month during the year. … Shillinglaw served as the Hearst captain.

John Grignon Trophy – Rookie of the Year: Jordan Mayo, (F) Iroquois Falls Storm – As one of the youngest players in the entire league this season, the 16-year-old from Kingston, Ont., topped all NOJHL rookies in goals (24) and finished third in overall points (51). … Mayo led all first-year players in game-winning goals (5) and power play tallies (12). … His dozen extra-man markers were the third-most in the whole league. … He paced Iroquois Falls in scoring, while factoring in on 32% of the Storm’s goals during the campaign. … Had points in each of his squad’s final seven games, as well as nine of 10, to help his side qualify for the playoffs. … Was named the league’s BrokerLink Insurance Rookie of the Month for January.

Mitch Tetreault Memorial Trophy – Top Defensive Forward: Bronson Babyak, Hearst Lumberjacks – A tenacious checker, Babyak brought a defensive minded pace to his game throughout the campaign, while also contributing at key times offensively for the Lumberjacks. … In his final season of Jr. A hockey, the Saskatoon, Sask., product collected three shorthanded markers and assisted on two others for Hearst, who led the league in man-down markers (14) and sat second overall on the PK (83.4%). … He also set personal bests in overall tallies (22); helpers (25) and points (47).

Gilles Laperriere Trophy – Most Improved Player: Cooper Fredericks, (F) Soo Eagles – A dynamic performer for the Eagles, Fredericks amassed 51 more points this season than he had in his initial campaign with the Michigan Soo. … His impressive numbers in 2024-25 saw the 20-year-old, who hails from Miltona, Minn., lead the Eagles in goals (33); points (69); man-advantage markers (9) and shorthanded tallies (4). … Those efforts also saw Fredericks finish fourth in NOJHL scoring.

NOJHL Trophy – Best Overall Team Player: Mathieu Comeau, (F) Hearst Lumberjacks – The veteran forward has been a model of consistency during his four years with the Lumberjacks, performing at a point-per-game clip throughout. … Skating for his hometown Hearst side, the 19-year-old Comeau established single-season highs in goals (24); assists (43) and points (67), finishing fifth in NOJHL scoring. … 18 times he had multi-point outings, with the Lumberjacks going an impressive 34-5-0-1 in games in which he picked up at least one point. … Comeau already sits in the Top 10 in career league-games played (210), with one final year of Jr. A eligibility remaining.

David Harrison Trophy – Most Gentlemanly Player: Owen King, (F) Blind River Beavers – Incurring just four minor penalties all season, King certainly made the most of his well-disciplined style of play. … The 18-year-old from Cambridge, Ont., hammered in 50 goals for the Beavers, to lead all skaters in that department, becoming the 41st player in NOJHL history, and just the second in the past nine seasons, to accomplish the feat. … King also finished second overall in points (75) and set a new NOJHL record for game-winning goals (12).

Jimmy Connors Memorial Trophy – NOJHL Scoring Champion: Lucas Signoretti, Greater Sudbury Cubs – Surpassing the 100-point plateau for a second straight season, he led the league offensively in each of the past two years. … Signoretti becomes only the fifth player all-time in the NOJHL to post back-to-back 100-point campaigns.

Wayne Chase Memorial Award – Best Goals-Against Average: Dryden Riley, Timmins Rock – With his 2.39 goals-against average, Riley becomes the third Timmins netminder to earn the honour over the past five campaigns. … The 17-year-old from Belleville, Ont., was also second in the league in both wins (21) and save percentage (.923).

NOJHL Team Goaltending Award (Fewest Goals Allowed): Greater Sudbury Cubs – Allowing only 114 goals-against as part of their league-best 44-6-1-1 record, the Cubs become the first Sudbury-based squad to earn this honour since the Sudbury Northern Wolves did likewise in 2005-06.

Mirl “Red” McCarthy Memorial Award – NOJHL Coach of the Year: Darryl Moxam, Greater Sudbury Cubs – Moxam’s efforts behind the bench guided the Cubs to the NOJHL regular season title, which was first time that a team from Sudbury did so since 2005-06, when the also Moxam-coached Sudbury Northern Wolves achieved the feat. … Under him, Greater Sudbury’s 114 goals-against were 25 fewer than the next closest team. … They were also second in goals-scored at 252. … Moxam saw his team lead the league in both power play and penalty kill proficiency at 31% and 88.5% respectively. … This marks Moxam’s second Coach of the Year honour, having won previously 2005-06 while guiding the Sudbury Northern Wolves to the league championship. … With the latest honour, Moxam becomes the NOJHL’s nominee for the prestigious Darcy Haugan/Mark Cross Memorial Award, emblematic of Canadian Junior Hockey League Coach of the Year, presented by the National Hockey League Coaches’ Association.

The Joe Drago Trophy – NOJHL Director of the Year: Jim Bruce, Powassan Voodoos – Associated with the Voodoos since the club first joined the NOJHL back in 2014, Bruce has served as their team president since Day 1. … Throughout that time, he has been the club’s director, partnering with the league in its overall operations while working in key roles with various NOJHL committees since coming on board.

James Aspin Trophy – NOJHL Regular Season Champions: Greater Sudbury Cubs – Finishing with a NOJHL-best 90 points this season, the Cubs earned the accolades with their 44-6-1-1 mark.

Broadcasters of the Year: Anthony Valade/Dominic Turco, Soo Thunderbirds – Supplying in-depth quality broadcasts through the 2024-25 campaign, the duo bring a value to their FLOHockey calls that continually highlights the NOJHL, its member teams and players with their knowledge, insight and acumen of the league. … As the deans of NOJHL play-by-play broadcasters and colour commentators, the Sault Ste. Marie products are coming up on 15 years behind the mic, while voicing home contests for the Thunderbirds. … They have broadcast multiple big games for Sault Ste. Marie in that span, including calling four NOJHL championships for the club.

NOJHL 1st All-Star Team

Goaltender: Connor Dunham-Fox, Blind River Beavers – In over 1,500 minutes of action, Dunham-Fox led all NOJHL netminders in save percentage at .931, while making 854 saves along the way. … He also finished third in both wins (20) and goals-against average (2.51) … The two shutouts for the 19-year-old from Edmonton, Alta., tied him for third in the league. … Dunham-Fox accomplished all of this on a Beavers’ squad that saw all of their defencemen being either rookies, or in their first-year, in the league.

Defence: Adam Shillinglaw, Hearst Lumberjacks – A stellar campaign on the back-end for the Lumberjacks saw Shillinglaw lead all NOJHL rearguards in goals (21); points (56) and game-winning markers (4). … The 20-year-old from New Liskeard, Ont., wrapped up his regular season career with 150 points in 201 outings, having scored 39 times and helping set-up 111 others. … Was twice named the NOJHL’s BrokerLink Insurance Defenceman of the Month during the year. … Shillinglaw served as the Hearst captain.

Defence: Mason Chitaroni, Greater Sudbury Cubs – 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 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.

Forward: Lucas Signoretti, Greater Sudbury Cubs – Led all NOJHL skaters in scoring this season with 101 points, on 46 goals and a league-best 55 assists in 50 contests. … The 20-year-old from Kanata, Ont., 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.

Forward: Owen King, Blind River Beavers – King was a stellar performer in Blind River in his first season with the club. … The 18-year-old from Cambridge, Ont., hammered in 50 goals for the Beavers, to lead all skaters in that department, becoming the 41st player in NOJHL history, and just the second in the past nine seasons, to accomplished the feat. … King also finished second overall in points (75) and led the way in game-winning goals (12), which established a new league record in that category.

Forward: Samuel Assinewai, Greater Sudbury Cubs – 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. … 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 this season. … Assinewai 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.

GM: Kyle Brick, Blind River Beavers – Continually doing a tremendous job in recruiting players to compete with Blind River in the NOJHL. … No less than seven of the first-year players he brought in for the Beavers made solid contributions throughout the campaign. … They include the league’s leading goal-getter Owen King and fellow forward YiBin Yoo. … Defencemen A.J. Saadeh; Mattis Lafond and Nicholas MacIsaac also made their mark, as did goaltenders Connor Dunham-Fox and Bronx Bodnar. … As Blind River’s head coach as well, he led the Beavers to another 35-plus win season. … Garners the accolades for a second consecutive.

Head Coach: Darry Moxam, Greater Sudbury Cubs – Moxam’s efforts behind the bench guided the Cubs to the NOJHL regular season title, which was first time that a team from Sudbury did so since 2005-06, when the also Moxam-coached Sudbury Northern Wolves achieved the feat. … Under him, Greater Sudbury’s 114 goals-against were 25 fewer than the next closest team. … They were also second in goals-scored at 252. … Moxam saw his team lead the league in both power play and penalty kill proficiency at 31% and 88.5% respectively. … This marks Moxam’s second Coach of the Year honour, having won previously 2015-16 while guiding the Sudbury Northern Wolves to the league championship.

Trainer/Equipment Manager: Trevor Wing, Powassan Voodoos – Garnering first team laurels at this position for the initial time, Wing, Powassan’s head athletic trainer, works alongside the club’s athletic trainer Braeden Hos, in providing stellar day-to-day training and equipment needs of the team.

NOJHL 2nd All-Star Team

Goaltender: Dryden Riley, Timmins Rock – Topped all NOJHL netminders in goals-against average at 2.39, becoming the third Timmins netminder to do so in the past five campaigns. … The 17-year-old from Belleville, Ont., was second in the league in wins (21) and save percentage (.923). … Riley played the most minutes of any netminder in the league this season (1,980). … Over the past two seasons, he has a NOJHL-best 42 victories to his credit.

Defence: A.J. Saadeh, Blind River Beavers – Contributing positively in his initial year in the NOJHL, Saadeh helped solidify a Blind River back-end that featured an entire defensive corps that were all in their first seasons in the league. … Finishing third in scoring among league rearguards, the 20-year-old from Montreal, Que., had 34 points in 45 outings. … Saadeh was second among NOJHL D-men in both goals (13) and tied for third in game-winning markers (3).

Defence: Braedyn Cyr, Timmins Rock – Solid both offensively and defensively, Cyr stabilized Timmins from the back all throughout the year. … In all, the 19-year-old from Oakville, Ont., scored six times and aided on 23 others to finish tied for top spot among Rock rearguards. … His three game-winners put him into a share for second by league defencemen.

Forward: Cooper Fredericks, Soo Eagles – A dynamic performer for the Eagles, Fredericks’ impressive numbers in 2024-25 saw the 20-year-old, who hails from Miltona, Minn., lead the Eagles in goals (33); points (69); man-advantage markers (9) and shorthanded tallies (4). … Those efforts also saw him finish fourth in NOJHL scoring.

Forward: Tyler Patterson, Hearst Lumberjacks – A big-game performer for Hearst, Patterson had his third-straight season with 60, or more, points. … Finishing sixth in NOJHL scoring, the 20-year-old, who hails from Newcastle, Ont., notched 29 markers and dished out assists on 36 others for 65 total points. … He tied for fourth in game-winners (6) and was fifth in goals. … Through 218 career NOJHL contests, Patterson played at over a point-per-game clip with 227, including 105 tallies.

Forward: Mathieu Comeau, Hearst Lumberjacks – The veteran forward has been a model of consistency during his four years with the Lumberjacks performing at a point-per-game pace throughout. … Skating for his hometown Hearst side, the 19-year-old Comeau established single-season highs in goals (24); assists (43) and points (67), finishing fifth in NOJHL scoring. … 18 times he had multi-point outings with the Lumberjacks going an impressive 34-5-0-1 in games in which he picked up at least one point.

GM: Chris Dawson, Powassan Voodoos – Continued well-deserved recognition for his commitment to Powassan and the NOJHL, Dawson earns league-wide honours, having been associated since Day 1 of the Voodoos, which began in 2014. … Has won two NOJHL titles as a general manager (North Bay Trappers/2012-13) & Powassan (2016-17). … Remains a valuable asset to the league with his steadfast detail in fulfilling day-to-day operations in roster management as well as league media and administrative obligations.

Head Coach: Marc-Alain Bégin, Hearst Lumberjacks – Helping guide Hearst behind the bench to the second-best record in the league during the course of the regular season, his club went 39-11-1-1 overall. … His Lumberjacks led the NOJHL in goals-scored (258). … They were third in power play success (23%), despite having the fewest man advantage chances in the league, going 44 for 188. … His team was also second-best on the P.K. (83.4%). … Under his tutelage, in the past three seasons alone, the Lumberjacks have won a combined 118 games.

Trainer/Equipment Manager: Richard Plourde, Timmins Rock – Earns league all-star honours for a second-straight season. … Remains an invaluable asset with the Rock for his continued efforts and contributions for the club.

NOJHL 3rd All-Star Team

Goaltender: Alexandre Boivin, Hearst Lumberjacks – Making 32 appearances as a rookie, Boivin led all NOJHL netminders in wins (22) while playing the second-most minutes of anyone (1,852). … His overall record was 22-6-1-1. … Finished sixth overall in goals-against average (2.95) and tied for fourth in save percentage (.911) … Also shared fourth in shutouts (2).

Defence: Bryan Fenlon, Soo Thunderbirds – Tied for third in point-per-game average (0.76), among defencemen who played 35-plus games. … Skating in his final season of Jr. A hockey, with his hometown Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., side, Fenlon led all Thunderbirds’ blueliners in goals (8); assists (21) and points (29) in 38 games. … He was also tops on the T-Birds in power play tallies (2) and man advantage helpers (. … Was named the league’s initial Defenceman of the Month award recipient to commence the campaign.

Defence: Cole Wreggitt, Soo Eagles – As the second-youngest full-time defenceman in the NOJHL this season, the 16-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., did not look out of place on the Eagles blueline. … Wreggitt collected 29 points in 48 games. … Tying for six among all league rearguards, he notched a trio of tallies and chipped in with 26 helpers. … His overall point totals led all Eagles D-men.

Forward: Lucas Caulfield, Soo Eagles – Caulfield, a second-year skater in the league, established single-season bests in tallies (25), helpers (38) and points (63). … He boasted a 37-point improvement from his rookie year. … The overall point totals for the 20-year-old from Palatine, Illinois, were the second-highest on his squad and seventh in the NOJHL.

Forward: Aiden Kalin, Hearst Lumberjacks – Collecting 62 points, including 25 tallies, Kalin ended up eighth in NOJHL offensive production. … From Calgary, Alta., the 20-year-old forward surpassed his goal totals from a year ago with Hearst and also had a personal best in assists (37). … In 101 career contests, Kalin notched 49 markers, including 15 on the power play, while totalling 117 points.

Forward: Alex Povorozniouk, Soo Eagles – Leading all rookies in offensive production, Povorozniouk notched 21 markers and set-up 40 others for 61 points. … The now 19-year-old from McHenry, Illinois, was third on the Eagles in scoring and ninth in the entire league. … Sitting third in overall in assists (40), he was also third-best in power play points (25).

GM: Marc Gagnon, Espanola Paper Kings – Picks up a NOJHL All-Star nod for a third consecutive year. … Aided in bringing in key players to Espanola this season, such as high-scoring rookie Kaden Wicklander and first-year netminders James Merdith and Jack Helkie. … Also excelled in league-related duties such as off-ice roster management applications. … Earlier served as director of operations for Team Canada East at the most recent Junior A Hockey Challenge in Camrose, Alta.

Head Coach: Jeremy Rebek, Soo Eagles – In his first year behind the bench, he guided the Eagles to a solid 32-17-0-3 campaign, finishing fifth overall. … His efforts helped his team provide the fourth highest tally total (209) in the league, while holding a share for the third fewest-against (143).

Trainer/Equipment Manager: Chris Seguin, Greater Sudbury Cubs – Earns all-star honours for the first time. … Beginning in the NOJHL back in 2016, Seguin’s dedication and commitment to the league makes him a valuable member of the Cubs’ organization. … He has also served in a similar capacity for previous NOJHL teams, in the Rayside-Balfour Canadians and Espanola Express.

1ST All-Rookie Team

Goaltender: Alexandre Boivin, Hearst Lumberjacks – Making 32 appearances as a rookie, Boivin led all NOJHL netminders in wins (22) while playing the second-most minutes of anyone (1,852). … His overall record was 22-6-1-1. … Finished sixth overall in goals-against average (2.95) and tied for fourth in save percentage (.911) … Also shared fourth in shutouts (2). … Was also tabbed a 3rd Team NOJHL All-Star.

Defence: Mattis Lafond, Blind River Beavers – A 17-year-old from Scarborough, Ont., Lafond shared the league-lead in scoring among rookie rearguards with 30 points. … He also paced all rookie D-men in assists (29). … Played like a veteran at both ends of the ice bolstering a Blind River defensive corps made up of all first-year players in the NOJHL. … Was named the league’s BrokerLink Insurance Rookie of the Month for February.

Defence: Cole Wreggitt, Soo Eagles – As the second-youngest full-time defenceman in the NOJHL this season, the 16-year-old from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., did not look out of place on the Eagles blueline. … Wreggitt collected 29 points in 48 games. … Tying for sixth among all league rearguards, he notched a trio of tallies and chipped in with 26 helpers. … His overall point totals led all Eagles D-men. … He tied for first in power play points by defencemen (13).

Forward: Jordan Mayo, Iroquois Falls Storm – As one of the youngest players in the league this season, the 16-year-old from Kingston, Ont., topped all NOJHL rookies in goals (24) and finished third in overall points (51). … Mayo led all first-year players in game-winning goals (5) and power play tallies (12). … Paced Iroquois Falls in scoring, while factoring in on 32% of the Storm’s goals during the campaign. … Had points in each of his squad’s final seven games, as well as nine of 10, to help his side qualify for the playoffs.

Forward: Alex Povorozniak, Soo Eagles – The 19-year-old from McHenry, Illinois led all first-year skaters in offensive numbers with 61 points in 43 contests on 21 goals and 40 assists. … His helper total paced all rookies, as did his 25 power play points, while tying for fourth in game-winners, with three.

Forward: Kaden Wicklander, Espanola Paper Kings – Impressing for Espanola most nights, the 17-year-old from Sudbury, led the Paper Kings in scoring this season. … Wicklander shared the club-lead in goals (19) and was tops in assists (35) and points (54). … His numbers placed him second in rookie scoring and tied for fourth in game-winners (4). … He boasted 15 multi-point games on the year, including nine with three, or more.

2nd All-Rookie Team

Goaltender: Jace Knoerle, Soo Eagles – The 18-year-old from Roscoe, Illinois went 16-11-2-0 between the pipes, finishing fifth among all goaltenders in victories. … He was fourth in minutes played at 1,677. … His 2.68 goals-against average was fourth-best in the league. … He also shared fourth spot in terms of save percentage at .911, while his two shutouts tied for third overall. … Among rookies, Knoerle was first in GAA; tied for first in save mark and shared top spot in shutouts. … Earned BrokerLink Insurance NOJHL Goaltender of the Month laurels for December.

Defence: Nicholas MacIsaac, Blind River Beavers – Hailing from Barrie, Ont., the 18-year-old MacIsaac, certainly made his mark in his inaugural campaign in the NOJHL. … Holding a share for top spot in total offensive numbers by rookie D-men, he picked up 30 points in all. … 10 of his points came via special teams, including nine on the power play. … He tied for the most games played this season by a rookie defenceman with 50. … Wrapped up the year with points in five straight and nine of 10.

Defence: Alexandre Valade, Greater Sudbury Cubs – Tabbed the NOJHL’s Defenceman of the Month for January, Valade stepped up his ice time for his hometown side, while a couple of key cogs in the Cubs’ defensive corps were out with injury. … Valade finished fourth overall in offensive production among rookie blueliners with 27 points. … His seven goals tied for the most by first-year D-men.

Forward: Reece Liu, Timmins Rock – A solid compliment to the Timmins line-up this season, Liu averaged just under a point-per-game for the club. … A product of Vancouver, B.C., the 18-year-old tallied 15 times and aided on 29 more for 44 points in 45 outings. … Leading all Rock rookies in scoring, Liu was also fourth in the entire league group in that department. … His four game-winning markers tied him for second among rookies.

Hunter Vilanez, French River Rapids – The 18-year-old from Toronto did his part up front for French River this season. … Leading the Rapids in goals (22), assists (25) and points (47), Vilanez was fourth in NOJHL rookie scoring. … Meanwhile, his tally-total was the second-highest by first-year skaters. … His combined power play numbers of 16 points, put him fifth in rookie contributions.

Mason Walker, Greater Sudbury Cubs – Seeing action in 45 contests, Walker had just as many points for the regular season-winning Cubs. … Suiting up for his hometown Greater Sudbury squad, 16-year-old forward scored 13 times and assisted on 32 more. … Among his appearances, 13 saw him compile multi-point efforts. … In all, Walker was fifth in rookie scoring, with his man advantage numbers placing him fourth, on three markers and 14 helpers.

Photo credits: Northern Lights Photography / Points North Media