NOJHL-leading Thunderbirds remain 8th in CJHL rankings

CALGARY, Alta. – Continuing to rack up victories, the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) stay at No. 1 for yet another week in the Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 Rankings, announced Monday.

The 2019 Canadian National Jr. A Championship-host Bandits have skated to 19 victories in succession and are 43-3 overall to pace the AJHL.

Heading into their league Showcase Tuesday and Wednesday, the Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) have racked up eight consecutive wins to improve to 29-2-1-1.

Despite a double OT setback Friday, the Oakville Blades (OJHL) are playing .864 hockey and their 36-4-1-3 mark has them just ahead of No. 7 North York Rangers in the OJHL.

Having gone 9-0-1 in their past 10 outings helped the Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) move to No. 4 in the 133-team CJHL while having gone 28-5-0-1 overall.

Perennial MJHL power, the Portage Terriers boast a 36-8-1-1 record in Manitoba and are nine points clear in the quest for the regular season title there in that 11-team loop as they jump to No. 5 nationally.

Others listed in the Top 10 this week include les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ); the Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL); Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) and the Brockville Braves (CCHL).

The CJHL Top 20 Rankings (As of Jan. 28)
RK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST WEEK)
1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (1)
2. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) (2)
3. Oakville Blades (OJHL) (3)
4. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (5)
5. Portage Terriers (MJHL) (6)
6. Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (4)
7. North York Rangers (OJHL) (7)
8. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (8)
9. Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) (17)
10. Brockville Braves (CCHL) (9)
11. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (11)
12. Titan de Princeville (LHJAAAQ) (12)
13. Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) (14)
14. Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL) (3)
15. Cobourg Cougars (OJHL) (NR)
16. College Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (15)
17. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (16)
18. Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL) (18)
19. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) (20)
20. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) (10)

HONOURABLE MENTION: Okotoks Oilers (AJHL); Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) Hawkesbury Hawks (CCHL); Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL); Amherst Ramblers (MHL)