CALGARY, Alta. – With the initial installment of the Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 Rankings for February, you’ll find there is a new club atop the national listings and it’s the Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL).
Now boasting the best winning percentage (.857) across the 131-team CJHL, Sherwood Park continues their successful campaign in Alberta with a solid 42-7-0 record entering play this week.
Right behind the Crusaders is another AJHL club, in the red-hot Okotoks Oilers, who have reeled off 13 consecutive victories to improve to 41-6-3 as they jumped to No. 2 in the rankings, which are compiled by an independent scouting source.
Another squad making a move to No. 3 this week is the 41-6-3-2 Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) as they are closing in on a seventh-straight regular season crown in their league.
Tabbed at No. 4, you have the 34-6-0-2 Summerside Western Capitals (MHL), who continue to press the pace in the Maritimes.
Slipping down to No. 5 overall are the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) as they have dropped three straight for the first time in recent memory and have slipped to 40-8-1 overall on the season.
The Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL); Coquitlam Express (BCHL); Battlefords North Stars (SJHL); Braves de Valleyfield (LHJAAAQ) and the Oakville Blades (OJHL) round out the Top 10.
2019-20 CJHL Top 20 Rankings (As of Feb. 3)
RK TEAM (LEAGUE) (PREVIOUS RANKING)
1. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) (3)
2. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (5)
3. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (6)
4. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (2)
5. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (1)
6. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (8)
7. Coquitlam Express (BCHL) (7)
8. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (4)
9. Braves de Valleyfield (LHJAAAQ) (9)
10. Oakville Blades (OJHL) (11)
11. Timmins Rock (NOJHL) (10)
12. Wellington Dukes (OJHL) (15)
13. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (13)
14. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (12)
15. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (14)
16. Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (16)
17. Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL) (19)
18. Titan de Princeville (LHJAAAQ) (17)
19. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (HM)
20. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) (20)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL); Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL); Portage Terriers (MJHL); Blind River Beavers (NOJHL); Rayside-Balfour Canadians (NOJHL)
Photo credit: Michael P. Hall/CJHL Images
