CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced Wednesday its preseason rankings, heading into the 2022-23 campaign.
Topping the list are the defending Centennial Cup champions, the Brooks Bandits (AJHL).
Slotted No. 2 are the Collingwood Blues (OJHL), who have reeled off a 6-0-0-1 record in exhibition action to date.
Tabbed third is another Alberta Junior Hockey League side, the Spruce Grove Saints.
The defending Maritime Hockey League title holders, the Summerside Western Capitals, come in at No. 4, while the Haliburton Huskies (OJHL) round out the Top 5.
The initial CJHL Top 20 Rankings for the season will be announced on Monday, September 26.
The following are the CJHL preseason rankings, as well as the five Honourable Mention clubs:
CJHL PRESEASON RANKINGS
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE)
1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
2. Collingwood Blues (OJHL)
3. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
4. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)
5. Haliburton Huskies (OJHL)
6. Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
7. Ottawa Jr. A Senators (CCHL)
8. Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ)
9. Oakville Blades (OJHL)
10. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL)
11. Portage Terriers (MJHL)
12. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)
13. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)
14. Amherst Ramblers (MHL)
15. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
16. Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ)
17. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL)
18. Wellington Dukes (OJHL)
19. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL)
20. Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Drumheller Dragons (AJHL); Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL); Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL); Milton Menace (OJHL); Campbellton Tigers (MHL).
ABOUT THE RANKINGS: The CJHL Top 20 Rankings are compiled during the 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/
Photo credit: Matthew Murnaghan/Hockey Canada Images