CALGARY, Alta. – With the World Junior A Challenge now complete and Team Canada East earning a silver medal at the international event, Canadian Junior Hockey League clubs will now focus on finishing off another week of play before heading into the Christmas break.
The Brooks Bandits (AJHL) continue as the No. 1 ranked squad in the 131-team CJHL in the weekly listings that are compiled by an independent scouting source.
Brooks has won nine straight in Alberta and are 33-1-1.
Another AJHL side, the 29-3 Sherwood Park Crusaders, are tabbed No. 2 nationally while another red-hot club, the Coquitlam Express (BCHL) have hit the 30-win plateau on the campaign and come in at No. 3 this week.
Moving up to No. 4 are the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL), who also boast 30 victories to date and will be welcoming back WJAC MVP in goaltender Devon Levi and fellow Canada East teammate, forward Ryland Mosley to their lineup.
Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) rounds out the Top 5. They sport the best winning percentage in their 12-team league at .833 while having gone 22-4-0-1 so far this season.
2019-20 CJHL Top 20 Rankings
As of Dec. 16
RK TEAM (LEAGUE) (PREVIOUS RANKING)
1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (1)
2. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) (2)
3. Coquitlam Express (BCHL) (6)
4. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (5)
5. Collège Français Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (4)
6. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (3)
7. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (10)
8. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (7)
9. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (8)
10. Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (9)
11. Braves de Valleyfield (LHJAAAQ) (11)
12. Timmins Rock (NOJHL) (HM)
13. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (12)
14. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (14)
15. Brockville Braves (CCHL) (13)
16. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (16)
17. Wellington Dukes (OJHL) (18)
18. Oakville Blades (OJHL) (15)
19. Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) (19)
20. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) (20)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Penticton Vees (BCHL); Portage Terriers (MJHL); Blind River Beavers (NOJHL); Hearst Lumberjacks (NOJHL); Titan de Princeville (LHJAAAQ)