CALGARY, Alta. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) has announced its latest Top 20 regular season rankings for the 2017-18 campaign, compiled weekly by an independent scouting service.
Remaining No. 1 in the 132-team CJHL for a second straight week is the Penticton Vees (BCHL) as they remain unbeaten at 5-0 to start the campaign.
BCHL: Along with Penticton at No. 1, the BCHL is also represented in the Top 20 by the Vernon Vipers (12), Trail Smoke Eaters (16) and Powell River Kings (HM).
AJHL: The Okotoks Oilers are 7-0 early on and have moved to No. 3 in the CJHL. The 5-1 Fort McMurray Oil Barons were slotted 11th.
SJHL: Reeling off eight straight wins in SJHL play has the Melfort Mustangs tabbed at No. 2 nationally while defending champ Battlefords is 4-0-1 and ranked eighth.
MJHL: The Virden Oil Capitals were listed 14th in the CJHL and the Steinbach Pistons are 20th. Perennial MJHL power, the Portage Terriers picked up HM status.
SIJHL: Thief River Falls jumped to No. 5 and fellow unbeaten Thunder Bay moved to No. 7. Dryden’s only blemish is a shootout setback and is rated ninth.
NOJHL: Defending NOJHL title holder Powassan moved to No. 19 in the weekly listings while a number of other NOJHL clubs are most certainly garnering interest.
OJHL: The Georgetown Raiders, winners of the OJHL in 2016-17, are No. 10 nationally while honourable mention went to the Toronto Patriots and Wellington Dukes.
CCHL: Carleton Place climbed to No. 15 and the Fred Page Cup-host Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators picked up Honourable Mention recognition.
LHJAAAQ: Reigning LHJAAAQ Coupe NAPA winners, les Cobras de Terrebonne, are No. 4 in the CJHL and College Français de Longueuil comes in at No. 17.
MHL: The Edmundston Blizzard has yet to lose in MHL play, going 5-0 to date, having earned a No. 6 national ranking with the Truro Bearcats and Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners joining them in the Top 20 at No. 13 and No. 18 respectively.
CJHL 2017-18 TOP 20 (As of Oct. 2/17)
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST RANKING)
1. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (1)
2. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (3)
3. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (4)
4. Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (10)
5. Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) (17)
6. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (16)
7. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) (NR)
8. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (19)
9. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (7)
10. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) (HM)
11. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (2)
12. Vernon Vipers (BCHL) (NR)
13. Truro Bearcats (MHL) (NR)
14. Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL) (13)
15. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (18)
16. Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) (NR)
17. College Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ)
18. Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners (MHL) (6)
19. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (20)
20. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (9)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Powell River Kings (BCHL); Portage Terriers (MJHL); Toronto Patriots (OJHL);, Wellington Dukes (OJHL); Ottawa Jr. A Senators (CCHL)
ABOUT THE CJHL RANKINGS: They are based upon a variety of factors, including winning percentage; win-loss record; point totals; goals-for versus goals-against ratio, etc., and the league they compete in.