CALGARY, Alta. – The latest Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top 20 rankings released Monday sees the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) moving back into the No. 1 slot nationally while the Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) slipped to No. 2 and the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) stayed at No. 3 in the 132-team CJHL.
MHL: The Edmundston Blizzard were tabbed 19th in the country in the latest listings with fellow division-leading Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners named Honourable Mention.
LHJAAAQ: In the LHJAAAQ No. 10 College Français de Longueuil are four points up on the No. 8 Cobras de Terrebonne with the latter holding two games in hand.
CCHL: Carleton Place and the Fred Page Cup-host Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators, who are now No. 4 in the CJHL are running away with the divisional races in the CCHL.
OJHL: Moving to No. 7 nationally, the Toronto Patriots pace the OJHL in points and winning percentage. The Wellington Dukes earned No. 15 in the rankings with the North York Rangers and Aurora Tigers getting Honourable Mention status.
NOJHL: The NOJHL-leading Powassan Voodoos are tabbe No. 5 in the CJHL this week while the surging Soo Thunderbirds were slotted 17th overall.
SIJHL: Back-to-back shutout losses over the weekend to the now No. 9 Dryden GM Ice Dogs, the Thief River Falls Norskies slipped to No. 2. The Dudley-Hewitt Cup host GM Ice Dogs have posted three shutouts in a row.
MJHL: Clicking on all cylinders, the Steinbach Pistons still lead the MJHL and remain No. 13 in the CJHL. The second place Portage Terriers are Honourable Mention.
SJHL: The SJHL is represented by three teams in the rankings this week with the Nipawin Hawks up to No. 6; the Battlefords North Stars dropping to No. 12 in the CJHL while Melfort Mustangs were slotted No. 16.
AJHL: Staying at No. 3 in the national rankings is Okotoks. Securing the No. 11 placing is the Fort McMurray Oil Barons while the Spruce Grove Saints slid up to No. 14 and Brooks Bandits picked up a HM nod.
BCHL: The highly-competitive BCHL sees the Vernon Vipers rated 18th and defending league champion Penticton Vees are Honourable Mention this week.
CJHL 2017-18 TOP 20 (As of Jan. 15/18)
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST RANKING)
1. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (2)
2. Thief River Falls Norskies (SIJHL) (1)
3. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (3)
4. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL) (6)
5. Powassan VooDoos (NOJHL) (8)
6. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) (7)
7. Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (11)
8. Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJQ) (4)
9. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (12)
10. College Francais de Longueuil (LHJQ) (10)
11. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (9)
12. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (5)
13. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (13)
14. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (19)
15. Wellington Dukes (OJHL) (HM)
16. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (HM)
17. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (16)
18. Vernon Vipers (BCHL) (14)
19. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (18)
20. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (HM)
Honourable Mention: Penticton Vees (BCHL); Portage Terriers (MJHL); North York Rangers (OJHL); Aurora Tigers (OJHL); Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL)
