NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL NETWORK MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, September 2, 2016
Soo Thunderbirds lone NOJHL club in CJHL preseason rankings
SUDBURY – The two-time defending Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League champion Soo Thunderbirds was the lone NOJHL club named in the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s Top 20 preseason rankings announced today.
Sault Ste. Marie was listed third in the rankings among the 132 teams that comprise the CJHL across the country and parts of the U.S.
The Thunderbirds were also third in the final CJHL rankings of 2015-16.
Tabbed in the No. 1 spot is the Portage Terriers (MJHL) followed by the 2017 Dudley-Hewitt Cup host and 2016 DHC champion Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) at No. 2.
The initial CJHL regular season rankings for 2016-17 will be announced on Sept. 26.
The following is the CJHL top 20 preseason rankings and five honourable mention teams for the 2016-17 season:
CJHL PRESEASON TOP 20
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE)
1. Portage Terriers (MJHL)
2. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
3. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
4. West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
5. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
6. Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL)
7. Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
8. Terrebonne Cobras (QJHL)
9. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)
10. Woodstock Slammers (MHL)
11. Coburg Cougars (OJHL)
12. Wenatchee Wild (BCHL)
13. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL)
14. Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL)
15. Dauphin Kings (MJHL)
16. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL)
17. Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
18. College Francais de Longueil (QJHL)
19. Dieppe Commandos (MHL)
20. Estevan Bruins (SJHL)
Honourable Mention: Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL), Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL), Melfort Mustangs (SJHL), Steinbach Pistons (MJHL), Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)
