NOJHL’s Beavers 20th; Voodoos HM in opening CJHL Top 20 Rankings

CALGARY, Alta. – Another Canadian Junior Hockey League campaign is upon us and with that, means the weekly installment of the CJHL Top 20 Rankings.

Topping the initial tabulation for 2019-20, in listings compiled by an independent scouting source, are the Penticton Vees (BCHL).

A perennial CJHL power, the Vees under team president, head coach and general manager Fred Harbinson, have begun their season going 6-0 while registering a BCHL-best 32 goals to date.

Earning the No. 2 nod nationally to kick things off are the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) who have won five straight in Alberta early on.

Meanwhile the Oakville Blades (OJHL) sit at No. 3 as the defending Buckland Cup and Dudley-Hewitt Cup title holders have yet to taste defeat to begin their year having gone 4-0.

At 5-0, the Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL) are slotted No. 4 in the CJHL in Week 1 while the 5-0 Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) round out the Top 5 across the country.

The remaining CJHL sides in the Top 10 include the Burlington Cougars (OJHL) 6th; Brooks Bandits (AJHL) 7th; Braves de Valleyfield (LHJAAAQ) 8th; Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) 9th and the 2020 Centennial Cup-host Portage Terriers (MJHL) 10th.

2019-20 CJHL Top 20 Rankings (As of Sept. 23)
RK TEAM (LEAGUE)
1. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
2. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
3. Oakville Blades (OJHL)
4. Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
5. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
6. Burlington Cougars (OJHL)
7. Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
8. Braves de Valleyfield (LHJAAAQ)
9. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL)
10. Portage Terriers (MJHL)
11. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL)
12. Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL)
13. College Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ)
14. Pictou County Weeks Crushers (MHL)
15. Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL)
16. Waywayseecappo Wolverines (MJHL)
17. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL)
18. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL)
19. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (14)
20. Blind River Beavers (NOJHL)

HONOURABLE MENTION: Wenatchee Wild (BCHL); Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL); Wellington Dukes (OJHL); Kanata Lasers (CCHL); Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL)