File photo: Rob Fera – Points North Media
TORONTO – As a number of member leagues, that comprise the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), get their respective 2024-25 regular seasons underway, and the remainder gear up to commence their campaigns, optimism remains eternal for each of its 118 teams.
Preparations are underway to announce the CJHL’s preseason rankings in the coming days, prior to releasing its initial Top 20 Rankings – Fuelled by Gatorade, on Monday, September 30.
Here’s a glance at some of the clubs scross the CJHL, in a ‘Teams to Watch’ segment:
MHL
Edmundston Blizzard: After winning their division last season, and allowing the fewest goals-against in the MHL at 136, Simon Olivier’s squad aims to take it up another notch in 2024-25.
Miramichi Timberwolves: The defending Maritime Hockey League champions have gone unbeaten in exhibition action as they look for a strong start in their quest to repeat.
Summerside Western Capitals: A perennial MHL power under head coach Billy McGuigan, Summerside has won over 100 games, combined, over the last three seasons and finished in top spot in the regular season twice and won the playoff title once.
LHJAAAQ
Montréal Phoenix: Taking over behind the bench of the Phoenix, former NHLer Bobby Dollas brings well over 1,000 games of experience in the pro ranks as a defenceman, to his new squad, while also winning World Junior Gold in his playing days.
Terrebonne Cobras: Wins are common place for the Cobras under Robert Dubuc’s guidance as they have been one of the top teams in the LHJAAAQ on a yearly basis.
Valleyfield Braves: After serving on the coaching staff of the Canadian under-18 side that mined gold at the U18 Worlds in Finland this summer, Bruce Richardson begins his first full season as head coach in Valleyfield, looking to build on a 24-win season.
CCHL
Navan Grads: The reigning CCHL champions look to be solid once again having gone 3-0 in preseason play, with one final exhibition contest remaining on their docket.
Renfrew Wolves: Newcomer Edward Souliere tops all CCHL skaters in preseason scoring with six points, including three tallies, while looking to lead the Wolves offensively.
Smiths Falls Bears: After allowing the fewest goals-against in the CCHL last season, the Bears look to continue their solid defensive play in an effort to advance to a third-straight league final.
OJHL
Collingwood Blues: The defending Centennial Cup title holders will certainly draw plenty of attention as the team to beat in the OJHL once again heading into their home opener Friday night as they raise their Canadian Jr. A championship banner to the rafters of Eddie Bush Memorial Arena.
Leamington Flyers: Making a statement in the preseason by winning the Cottage Cup Showcase in Wasaga Beach, Ont., Leamington will look to squeeze out even more victories in 2024-25 under head coach Dale Mitchell.
St. Michael’s Buzzers: A storied Jr. A franchise, St. Michael’s has pumped out a plethora of talented players in the 100-plus years of operation, while continually seeing their teams advance to the playoffs and having won many league titles.
NOJHL
Elliot Lake Vikings: After seeing their community garner Kraft Hockeyville laurels back in late March, the upgrades being made to Centennial Arena will see the Vikings return to their home venue, after being forced to play all their games away from Elliot Lake last season, after just one contest.
Greater Sudbury Cubs: Winning a NOJHL crown last season, the Cubs will look to prowl on opponents once more. Having acquired the most recent league MVP, in Lucas Signoretti, Greater Sudbury will look to better the NOJHL-best 285 goals they scored in 2023-24.
Timmins Rock: With a NOJHL-high 124 victories to their credit over the course of the past three campaigns, Timmins, who once again led the NOJHL in attendance, will strive for further success under bench boss and GM Brandon Perry.
SIJHL
Fort Frances Lakers: With SIJHL alumnus, Tyler Miller serving as head coach and Luke Judson, as the club’s GM, the duo, who went on to play NCAA & USPORTS hockey respectively, are aiming to return Fort Frances to among the top clubs in the league.
Kam River Fighting Walleye: Having won the SIJHL’s regular season title in each of the past three seasons, Kam River continues to be among the league’s elite and have been consistently tabbed in the CJHL rankings.
Sioux Lookout Bombers: Winning the Bill Salonen Cup in just their second-year of operation, Sioux Lookout showed their mettle by claiming the SIJHL crown and accounted themselves very well with a very competitive Centennial Cup in Oakville, Ont.
MJHL
Northern Manitoba Blizzard: With new ownership and a name change, the now Northern Manitoba finished second in the MJHL’s overall standings last season after a 39-win campaign and recently inked second-year head coach/GM Eric Labosse to a five-year contract extension.
Portage Terriers: Under Blake Spiller’s guidance, the Terriers have been a stellar franchise and boast many MJHL championships to prove it. In the past three seasons alone, Portage has combined for over 100 wins.
Winker Flyers: Winning their first Turnbull Trophy in 25 years last season, as MJHL champions, Winkler will attempt a repeat with new skipper Matthew Melo after Justin Faulk departed the club to join a NHL organization.
SJHL
Flin Flon Bombers: Another prolific Jr. A franchise, Flin Flon remains one of the most widely recognized teams in hockey. Mike Reagan, the CJHL Coach of the Year, presented by the NHL Coaches’ Association, in 2023-24, takes aim on winning a SJHL title and making a return to compete for the Centennial Cup.
Humboldt Broncos: Humboldt product Bryaden Klimosko returns to his hometown to serve as head coach and GM of the Broncos, after having tremendous success with the Battlefords North Stars where he captured a SJHL crown in 2023, advanced all the way to the Centennial Cup final, and earned CJHL Coach of the Year honours in the process.
Melfort Mustangs: Hoisting their first Canterra Seeds Cup, emblematic of being SJHL champions, for the first time since 2016, Terry Blevins’ squad looks to roll on after an impressive showing at the Centennial Cup in Oakville where they were edged 1-0 by Collingwood in a hard-fought finale.
AJHL
Calgary Canucks: The Canucks know they’ll be taking part in a second-straight Centennial Cup as they’ll be serving as the host team at the 2025 event. Calgary comes off winning their 10th Inter Pipeline Cup AJHL crown last season, while boasting a 12-3 playoff record, including winning each of their final six games.
Canmore Eagles: Set to commence his 17th season as head coach and general manager in Canmore, Andrew Milne has been a model of consistency for the Eagles. In recent seasons, his efforts behind the bench have helped Canmore improved their win and point totals in each of the past three seasons.
Devon Xtreme: The CJHL’s newest franchise is set to make their AJHL debut on September 13 against Bonnyville, before their home opener, one night later, versus the same Pontiacs. The Xtreme are coached by former NHLer Kelly Buchberger.
