THUNDER BAY – Sports – The Canadian Junior Hockey League, in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting, has announced their final Top 20 rankings for 2012 and the Minnesota Wilderness continue to hold their place near the top.
Winners of 13 games in succession as well as posting a Superior International Junior Hockey League best 25-3 record the Wilderness were rated No. 2 overall for a second consecutive week. They also boast the second best winning percentage in the 128-team CJHL at .893.
Continuing to roll along as the No. 1 squad in the CJHL is the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Jr. Hockey League. They are an impressive 33-1 on the season and hold a .971 win mark.
Joining the Bandits and Wilderness in the top three are the Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Trenton Golden Hawks. They are 25-8-0-1 on the campaign and claim the best winning percentage in the OJHL at .750.
The following are the CJHL Top 20 as of Dec. 17 listing their overall ranking, their listing last week, the team as well as the league they are a member of.
1. (1) Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
2. (2) Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL)
3. (4) Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
4. (6) Yorkton Terriers (SJHL)
5. (14) Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL)
6. (3) Truro Bearcats (MHL)
7. (8) Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL)
8. (11) Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
9. (9) Penticton Vees (BCHL)
10. (5) OCN Blizzard (MJHL)
11. (10) Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)
12. (12) Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
13. (13) Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
14. (16) Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
15. (15) Dauphin Kings (MJHL)
16. (18) Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL)
17. (19) Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL)
18. (17) Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL)
19. (HM) St. Michael’s Buzzers (OJHL)
20. (NR) College Francais de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ)
Honourable Mention: North Bay Trappers (NOJHL), Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL), Oakville Blades (OJHL), Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) and Amherst Ramblers (MHL).
