Oil Barons, Saints and Oilers Named in CJHL Top 20 Weekly Rankings

CALGARY, Alta. – As the Canadian Junior Hockey League celebrates a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, only three teams remain unbeaten across the country, and they each hold onto their top three placings in the weekly rankings. 

The Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) continues their fine early play, while the Penticton Vees (BCHL) are rolling along and are separating themselves in the tough Interior Division.

The Vees actually just percentage points behind the Wild for the overall lead in the BCHL.

The Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) are surging with four straight wins in what may be the most competitive division in the country – the Viterra AJHL North Division.

Meanwhile a trio of AJHL clubs in the the Spruce Grove Saints, Bonnyville Pontiacs and Okotoks Oilers are just percentage points apart in the early going in Alberta.

In Saskatchewan, the Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) are still flexing their muscles, while the Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) are on a four-game winning streak themselves.

The Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) remains unbeaten in league play and are now being chased by the Portage Terriers (MJHL) and Winkler Flyers (MJHL).

The Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) have had a tremendous past week and moved up on the Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) in that league and still hold three games in hand.

Over in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, the Cochrane Crunch (NOJHL) remain ahead of the Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) at the top of the standings, while the Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) and the Timmins Rock (NOJHL) are within striking distance of the top of the standings and each team has several games in hand.

The OJHL still sees the Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) leading the way; while the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) is still on top in the CCHL.

The Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJQ) are also unbeaten in the LHJQ, and the College Francais de Longueuil (LJHQ) are also playing extremely well early in the campaign.

In the Maritime Hockey League, the Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL) have yet to suffer defeat and are still being closely pursued by the Miramichi Timberwolves (MHL) and the Pictou County Weeks Crushers (MHL).

CJHL Top 20 (As of Oct. 10/16)

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS
1. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (1)
2. Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJQ) (2)
3. Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL) (3)
4. Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) (5)
5. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (6)
6. Cochrane Crunch (NOJHL) (8)
7. College Francais de Longueil (LHJQ) (12)
8. Pictou County Weeks Crushers (MHL) (HM)
9. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (11)
10. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (9)
11. Portage Terriers (MJHL) (18)
12. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (NR)
13. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (NR)
14. Winkler Flyers (MJHL) (NR)
15. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) (20)
16. Miramichi Timberwolves (MHL) (10)
17. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (16)
18. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (14)
19. Timmins Rock (NOJHL) (NR)
20. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (19)
   
Honourable Mention: Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL); Brooks Bandits (AJHL); Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL); Coburg Cougars (OJHL); Wellington Dukes (OJHL).

ABOUT THE TOP 20 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.