First Nation hockey player averages more than two points per game in Junior A circuit

Nolan Newton is turning heads with his play this season.

Newton, a member of Saugeen First Nation in Ontario, is averaging more than two points per game with the Greater Sudbury Cubs.

The Cubs are the two-time defending champions in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), a Junior A circuit.

Cubs’ head coach Darryl Moxam has high praise for his star centre, who will turn 20 on Jan. 27.

“Right now, I'm not sure you'd find anybody in the country playing any better on both sides of the puck,” Moxam said. “He's still finding ways to contribute offensively at a very high pace and he's not given up anything on the defensive side of the puck to get that done.”

Newton has racked up 57 points (25 goals and 32 assists) in his first 28 games this season. He’s second in the NOJHL scoring race behind Hearst Lumberjacks’ forward Mathieu Comeau, who had 60 points, including 21 goals in 28 matches.

Newton, who is in his fourth season with the Cubs, is pleased that his over-all game is being noticed now and that he’s not just being singled out for his offensive exploits.

“I give all the credit to the coaching staff that have been here the past four years,” he said of his improved defensive play. “And that was the main thing we've been working on, just that timing on when to jump and when to stay back. And I think it's really helped me.”

Several others are also taking notice. Scouts from both Canadian and American universities have expressed interest in Newton.

He could accept an offer and start playing in the collegiate ranks as early as next season. But he does also have one more season of junior eligibility remaining and may not commence his post-secondary career until the 2027-28 campaign.

“I'm obviously not opposed to playing an overage year,” said Newton, who is 5-foot-9 and weighs 175 pounds. “But if the right opportunity comes along, I would go to university next year.”

Newton graduated from high school two years ago. Since then he has taken several online classes, partly to boost some of his marks but also to explore new subjects.

“I just want to take as many courses as possible so I have a lot of options because I’m not too sure what I want to do yet,” he said.

Newton ideally would like to receive an offer to attend an American school where he could accept a full scholarship to cover his expenses.

“But if that doesn't happen I would stay in Canada,” he said. “I’ve got some offers around.”

Newton is also looking to join a team in the university ranks club where he could have an impact immediately.

“Whatever is the right opportunity,” he said. “If I go next year and (have a chance to) play good minutes, I'll obviously do that.”

As for his on-ice efforts this season, Newton deflects praise about his play.

“With the team we have right now, from bottom up, we have a great team, great people,” he said. “Everyone is buying in. That's why we're having such a great year.”

The Cubs are sitting atop the standings of the 11-team NOJHL with a 22-6-1-2 record.

Newton has been able to continue collecting his share of points even though he has not had any set linemates.

“They switch a lot,” he said. “But when you’ve got a team like we have now, you're not too bummed out when it switches. We have just great players on our team.”

Newton and his teammates are hoping to win a third consecutive NOJHL championship. If they do successfully defend their crown, they would compete in their third straight Centennial Cup, the national Junior A tournament.

The 2026 Canadian championship will be held in May in Summerside, P.E.I.

The Cubs posted a 2-2 record in their four round-robin matches at the 2025 Centennial Cup held in Calgary. And the Greater Sudbury squad only managed to win one of its four games at the 2024 national tourney staged in Oakville, Ont.

Newton had hoped to crack the roster of the Barrie Colts in the higher calibre Ontario Hockey League this season. He was released at the Colts’ training camp in September, paving the way for him to return to the Cubs’ lineup.

The Greater Sudbury squad welcomed him back with open arms.

“He's a way different player than he was when he got to us at 16,” Moxam said. “And then you add to that the leadership that he brings to our group now, having gone to nationals two years in a row. He's kind of the straw that stirs the drink for us and he's been nothing short of amazing since the start of the season.”

Following the Christmas break, the Greater Sudbury club will return to action on Jan. 8 with a home contest versus the Powassan Voodoos.