THUNDER BAY – Sports – The second installment of the Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 rankings was announced Monday with the Superior International Junior Hockey League garnering attention on two fronts. The unbeaten Dryden Ice Dogs jumped seven notches from last week to sixth overall in the listings while the Minnesota Wilderness were tabbed in the No. 11 slot.
Dryden remains unbeaten early on the year with a 4-0 record under first-year head coach Paul Maclean while the two-time defending SIJHL champion Wilderness are 5-1 to start the season with their only loss coming on the road to the Ice Dogs.
Moving into the No. 1 ranking this week are the Borroks Bandits of Alberta.
The CJHL rankings, comprised in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting, are based upon a variety of factors, which includes the league in which the teams belong to and this season’s results in regular season.
CJHL Weekly Top 20 as of Monday, Oct. 1
1. (2) Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
2. (1) Penticton Vees (BCHL)
3. (15) Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)
4. (10) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
5. (9) Sudbury Nickel Barons (NOJHL)
6. (13) Dryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL)
7. (17) Truro Bearcats (MHL)
8. (12) Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
9. (HM) OCN Blizzard (MJHL)
10. (11) Coquitlam Express (BCHL)
11. (NR) Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL)
12. (HM) North Bay Trappers (NOJHL)
13. (NR) Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL)
14. (5) Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL)
15. (20) Oakville Blades (OJHL)
16. (19) Carlton Place Canadians (CCHL)
17. (16) Saint Jerome Pantheres (LHJAAAQ)
18. (3) Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners (MHL)
19. (NR) Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)
20. (NR) Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
Honourable Mention: Merritt Centennials (BCHL), Drayton Valley Thunder (AJHL), Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL), Granby Inouk (LHJAAAQ), Summerside Western Capitals (MHL).
