BROOKS BANDITS NEW #1 IN CJHL RANKINGS

TORONTO, ON A perennial Canadian Junior Hockey League powerhouse, the Brooks Bandits (AJHL), are back to No. 1 in the latest CJHL Top 20 rankings, released Monday.

The defending Centennial Cup champion Bandits, who are 48-5-1-1 on the season, have won seven straight games and are on the verge of wrapping up the regular season crown in the Alberta Jr. A ranks.

Slotted No. 2 nationally in the weekly listings, which are compiled by an independent scouting service, are the Battlefords North Stars (SJHL).

Sitting comfortably in top spot in their league standings, the North Stars boast a SJHL-best record of 41-4-2-1.

Holding firm at No. 3 in the CJHL this week are the Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL).

Toronto tops the table in the 21-team OJHL with a 42-4-2-2 mark and are just one victory shy from securing the No. 1 seed in their upcoming playoffs.

Maintaining their hold at No. 4 nationally are the Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ).

The front-runners among the 13 Jr. A clubs in Quebec sport an overall record of 37-5-0-0 heading into play this week.

Moving to No. 5 in the CJHL are the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL).

Having reeled off nine consecutive victories, the Saints earlier claimed the North Division title in the AJHL, while going 43-7-2-2 to date.

Shown below, is the latest CJHL Top 20 Rankings, for the period ending February 19:

CJHL TOP 20 (As of Feb. 20, 2023)
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (PREVIOUS RANKING)
1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (2)
2. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (1)
3. Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL) (3)
4. Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (4)
5. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (6)
6. Collingwood Blues (OJHL) (5)
7. Portage Terriers (MJHL) (12)
8. Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL) (11)
9. Timmins Rock (NOJHL) (10)
10. Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL) (7)
11. Collège Français de Longueuil (LJHAAAQ) (9)
12. Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners (MHL) (8)
13. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) (15)
14. Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL) (13)
15. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (16)
16. Blind River Beavers (NOJHL) (HM)
17. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (18)
18. Burlington Cougars (OJHL) (HM)
19. Edmundston Blizzard (20) (MHL)
20. Navan Grads (CCHL) (19)

HONOURABLE MENTION: Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL); Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL); Hearst Lumberjacks (NOJHL); Haliburton County Huskies (OJHL); Wellington Dukes (OJHL).

ABOUT THE RANKINGS: The CJHL Top 20 Rankings are compiled during the course of the regular season by an independent scouting service and are determined using a variety of factors during the process.

ABOUT THE CJHL: The Canadian Junior Hockey League is a national organization comprised of nine Junior A leagues from Alberta to the Maritimes. The CJHL currently represents 118 teams and well over 2,500 players. There are also 3,000-plus CJHL alumni furthering their hockey careers at the NHL, AHL, ECHL, SPHL, NCAA, U SPORTS and CHL levels across North America as well as leagues across Europe. For the latest CJHL news and features, visit cjhlhockey.com and follow-on social media at @cjhlhockey & facebook.com/canadianjuniorhockeyleague.

Photo credit: Rayne Makin