CALGARY, Alta. – Nicely into March there has been some shuffling among some of the clubs in the most recent edition of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top 20 Rankings.
While the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) and Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) remain No. 1 & 2 respectively in the listings, which are compiled by an independent scouting service, a number of other teams are making moves.
Brooks wrapped up their regular season with the best record in the AJHL and are presently awaiting their initial playoff opponent.
As for Collège Français, they are playing .864 hockey in Quebec and top the table in the 12-team LHJAAAQ with a 28-4-1-0 mark.
Slotted third in the CJHL this week are the Summerside Western Capitals (MHL).
Billy McGuigan’s squad boasts the mark among the dozen Jr. A organizations in the Maritimes at 27-4-1-1.
As the leaders in the SIJHL, the Kam River Fighting Walleye are tabbed fourth overall.
They are a solid 29-5-2-0 on the year and have only lost twice in regulation, dating back to mid-November.
Wrapping up the Top 5 are the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL), and like Brooks, are gearing up for their first postseason competitor in Alberta.
The following are the latest CJHL Top 20 Rankings, as well as the five Honourable Mention clubs:
CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS (As of March 7/22)
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (Previous ranking)
1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (1)
2. Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (2)
3. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (4)
4. Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL) (6)
5. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (5)
6. Ottawa Jr. A Senators (CCHL) (3)
7. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (9)
8. Red Lake Miners (SIJHL) (7)
9. Hearst Lumberjacks (NOJHL) (11)
10. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (12)
11. Estevan Bruins (SJHL) (10)
12. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (13)
13. Pickering Panthers (OJHL) (16)
14. Dauphin Kings (MJHL) (17)
15. Burlington Cougars (OJHL) (15)
16. Panthères de St-Jérôme (LHJAAAQ) (8)
17. Hawkesbury Hawks (CCHL) (18)
18. Timmins Rock (NOJHL) (14)
19. Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL) (19)
20. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (20)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL); Soo Eagles (NOJHL); Milton Menace (OJHL); Condors du Cégep Beauce-Appalaches (LHJAAAQ), Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners (MHL).