CALGARY, AB – The latest edition of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top 20 rankings released Monday has the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) staying at No. 1 in the 132-team CJHL. Up to No. 2 nationally is the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) while the surging Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) have soared to No. 3 overall.
MHL: The first-year Edmundston Blizzard stay at No. 19 as the MHL leaders are now six points up on the Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners, who earn Honourable Mention.
LHJAAAQ: The No. 10 Cobras de Terrebonne have a slim lead and games in hand on No. 14 College Français de Longueuil in the quest for top spot in the LHJAAAQ.
CCHL: Carleton Place is the first to 40 wins in the CJHL with the Fred Page Cup-host Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators three victories in arrears and tabbed No. 5 overall.
OJHL: Five OJHL sides garner recognition this week. The Toronto Patriots (No. 8); Wellington Dukes (No. 15) and Aurora Tigers (No. 18) all crack the Top 20 while the North York Rangers and Oakville Blades pick-up Honourable Mention nods.
NOJHL: The No. 7 Powassan Voodoos still lead the NOJHL and the Soo Thunderbirds get a HM placing.
SIJHL: The Thief River Falls Norskies slip to No. 4 in the CJHL. Just one point in arrears in the SIJHL is the Dudley-Hewitt Cup host and No. 9 Dryden GM Ice Dogs.
MJHL: Over in the MJHL, the No. 11 Steinbach Pistons have opened up some space in the race for first there. The Portage Terriers meanwhile get Honourable Mention.
SJHL: With an impressive 21-0-1-1 record in their past 23 outings, the Nipawin Hawks soar to No. 3 in the CJHL. The Battlefords North Stars also make a move to No. 6 and the Melfort Mustangs stay at No. 16.
AJHL: Okotoks has won eight straight in moving to No. 2 nationally. The Fort McMurray Oil Barons were tabbed at No. 12 while the No. 13 Spruce Grove Saints have earned five straight triumphs and the No. 17 Brooks Bandits have reeled off six consecutive victories.
BCHL: The defending BCHL champion Penticton Vees have gone 6-0-1-1 in their past eight games and move back into the CJHL’s Top 20 while leading their league in terms of winning percentage at .733. They are also tied for first overall in points and boast games in hand.
CJHL 2017-18 TOP 20 (As of Jan. 22/18)
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST RANKING)
1. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (1)
2. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (3)
3. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) (6)
4. Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) (2)
5. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL) (4)
6. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (12)
7. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (5)
8. Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (7)
9. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (9)
10. Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (8)
11. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (13)
12. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (11)
13. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (14)
14. College Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (10)
15. Wellington Dukes (OJHL) (15)
16. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (16)
17. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (20)
18. Aurora Tigers (OJHL) (HM)
19. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (19)
20. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (HM)
Honourable Mention: Portage Terriers (MJHL); Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL); North York Rangers (OJHL); Oakville Blades (OJHL); Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL)
ABOUT THE CJHL: The Canadian Junior Hockey League is made up of the 10 Junior ‘A’ leagues across Canada. Representing 132 teams and over 3,000 players, the CJHL also boast over 2,800 alumni furthering their hockey careers at the NHL, AHL, ECHL, CHL, NCAA and CIS level across North America.
ABOUT THE CJHL RANKINGS: Selected by an independent scouting service, the rankings are based upon a variety of factors, including league they compete in, strength of schedule and winning percentage.