Soo Eagles & Soo Thunderbirds crack latest CJHL rankings list

TORONTO – The soaring Winkler Flyers (MJHL) enter a new week still No. 1 in the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top 20 Rankings, released Monday.

Heading into a Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Showcase matinee in Winnipeg, Monday afternoon versus the Neepawa Titans, Winkler sits with an 8-0-0-0 record, having only allowed a MJHL-low 10 goals-against.

Hitting all the right notes of late, the Collingwood Blues (OJHL) have moved to No. 2 nationally in the 122-team CJHL.

The front-runners in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) have won nine consecutive contests and sport an overall mark of 15-1-0-0.

Another surging side, the Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL), are slotted No. 3 in rankings, which are compiled by an independent scouting service.

Mike Reagan’s squad is riding a 10-game winning streak and are 11-0-1-0 to date.

At No. 4 this week is another Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) club, the Humboldt Broncos.

The Broncos are playing .900 hockey so far this season, boasting a record of 8-0-1-1.

Rounding out the Top 5 in the latest CJHL listings are the Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL).

They top the table in the 12-team Central Canada Hockey League at 12-1-0-1, while having scored a CCHL-best 55 goals.

The following are the CJHL Top 20 Rankings, and honourable mentions, for the period concluding October 22.

CJHL TOP 20
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST WEEK)

1. Winkler Flyers (MJHL) (1)
2. Collingwood Blues (OJHL) (4)
3. Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) (6)
4. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (3)
5. Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL) (2)
6. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (5)
7. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL (9)
8. Miramichi Timberwolves (MHL) (8)
9. Blackfalds Bulldogs (AJHL) (18)
10. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (HM)
11. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (7)
12. Dauphin Kings (MJHL) (14)
13. Milton Menace (OJHL) (HM)  
14. Sioux Lookout Bombers (SIJHL) (15)
15. Soo Eagles (NOJHL) (19)
16. Markham Royals (OJHL) (17)
17. Panthères de St-Jérôme (LHJAAAQ) (10)
18. L’Everest de la Côte-Sud (LHJAAAQ) (13)
19. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (NR)
20. Cornwall Colts (CCHL) (16)

HONOURABLE MENTION: Summerside Western Capitals; Melville Millionaires (SJHL); Trenton Golden Hawks; West Kent Steamers; Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL)

Photo credit: Bob Davies