Call it a signal that the Greater Sudbury Cubs are dead serious about defending their NOJHL title this year.

Not sure how else you describe a trade that sees the local juniors acquire the 2023-2024 leading scorer Lucas Signoretti from the Espanola Paper Kings in return for Wolves' prospect Marshall McCharles and player development fees.

The Paper Kings promptly shipped McCharles to the King Rebellion (OJHL) for player development fees, with all signs pointing to the North Bay native who tallied 36 points in 39 games last year seeking a move at this time.

For their part, the Cubs secure some much-needed top end scoring punch in the form of the former Erie Otters second round pick who lit up the league to the tune of 47 goals and 70 assists while suiting up in 50 games for Espanola.

The 5'6" twenty year old forward earned a 15-game stint with the Sudbury Wolves last year, netting a goal and five assists in his second shot at the OHL. Signoretti recorded three goals and five assists in 58 games with Erie as a 16 year-old in 2021-2022.

Espanola GM Jason Rapcewicz has given himself some financial flexibility to rebuild the Paper Kings roster this season in recent days as both Owen Ferguson (Markham Royals) and Sean Short (Pelham Panthers) joined Marshall McCharles in heading south, with player development fees making their way north.