CALGARY, Alta. (Monday, January 29, 2018) – Fresh off a successful Canadian Junior Hockey League Prospects Game last week, there is no change among the highest rated clubs in the latest Top 20 rankings released Monday as the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL), Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) and Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) remain No. 1-2-3 respectively in the 132-team CJHL.
MHL: The Edmundston Blizzard (No. 19) and Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners (Honourable Mention) continue to lead their divisions in the MHL.
LHJAAAQ: The No. 10 Cobras de Terrebonne continue to vie with No. 13 College Français de Longueuil in the race for first place in the LHJAAAQ.
CCHL: Carleton Place stays No. 1 nationally for another week while fellow CCHL side and Fred Page Cup-host Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators continues at No. 5 overall.
OJHL: The Toronto Patriots (No. 7); Georgetown Raiders (No. 18) and Aurora Tigers (No. 20) all represent the OJHL in the Top 20 while the North York Rangers and Oakville Blades earn Honourable Mention nods.
NOJHL: The NOJHL-leading Powassan Voodoos move to No. 6 in the CJHL and the Soo Thunderbirds get a HM.
SIJHL: The Thief River Falls Norskies stay at No. 4 heading into the SIJHL Showcase Tuesday and Wednesday in Fort Frances, Ont., while the Dudley-Hewitt Cup host Dryden GM Ice Dogs are up to No. 8.
MJHL: The Steinbach Pistons move to No. 9 in the CJHL as they hold a 13-point cushion over the Honourable Mention Portage Terriers in the quest for first in Manitoba.
SJHL: An amazing 23-0-1-1 record in their past 25 games sees the No. 3 Nipawin Hawks among the CJHL’s elite. The Battlefords North Stars (No. 12) and Melfort Mustangs (No. 17) also represent the SJHL on the list.
AJHL: Winners of 12 in a row, the Okotoks Oilers stay No. 2 nationally. The No. 11 Spruce Grove Saints and No. 14 Brooks Bandits both boast eight straight victories with the No. 16 Fort McMurray Oil Barons also ranked.
BCHL: The Penticton Vees are 9-1-1 in January and jumped five spots to No. 15 in the CJHL rankings this week as the defending BCHL champs surpassed the 30-win plateau in league play for a 13th consecutive season.
CJHL 2017-18 TOP 20 (As of Jan. 29/18)
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST RANKING)
1. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (1)
2. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (2)
3. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) (3)
4. Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) (4)
5. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL) (5)
6. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (7)
7. Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (8)
8. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (9)
9. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (11)
10. Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (10)
11. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (13)
12. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (6)
13. College Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (14)
14. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (17)
15. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (20)
16. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (12)
17. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (16)
18. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) (NR)
19. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (19)
20. Aurora Tigers (OJHL) (18)
Honourable Mention: Portage Terriers (MJHL); Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL); North York Rangers (OJHL); Oakville Blades (OJHL); Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL)
ABOUT THE CJHL RANKINGS: The CJHL Top 20 weekly rankings are based upon a variety of factors, including the league in which the team plays; winning percentage; win-loss record; total points accumulated; goals-for versus goals-against ratio; etc.
