THUNDER BAY – Sports – The SIJHL Minnesota Wilderness are a solid second. The Canadian Junior Hockey League, in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting, announced Monday their final Top 20 rankings of the 2012-13 season with the Minnesota Wilderness of the Superior International Junior Hockey League finishing up rated No. 2 overall.
SIJHL Minnesota Wilderness Season Solid
This marked the 13th consecutive week the SIJHL-leading Wilderness was slotted in the No. 2 spot in the listings.
The Wilderness continue to boast the best winning percentage among each of the 127 teams that currently comprise the CJHL at .929, which coincides with their more than impressive 51-3-0-2 regular season record.
They last tasted defeat in regulation play all the way back on Oct. 24 being credited with a 39-0-0-2 mark since that setback.
The rankings conclude with one change among the top five teams in the CJHL.
Finishing up in top spot were the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) followed by the Wilderness in second while the Dauphin Kings (MJHL) moved to third nationally and the Royal Bank Cup host Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) slipping to fourth.
Rounding out the top five is the Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL).
The following are the final CJHL Top 20 ranked clubs and Honourable Mention squads for the 2012-13 season.
Included in the listings are their final overall ranking, their position last week, as well as the league in which they are a member of.
1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (1)
2. Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL) (2)
3. Dauphin Kings (MJHL) (4)
4. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (3)
5. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (5)
6. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (6)
7. Yorkton Terriers (SJHL)(7)
8. Winnipeg Blues (MJHL) (8)
9. Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL) (9)
10. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (15)
11. Melville Millionaires (SJHL) (11)
12. Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL) (12)
13. Surrey Eagles (BCHL) (14)
14. Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) (10)
15. North Bay Trappers (NOJHL) (16)
16. Truro Bearcats (MHL) (13)
17. Kingston Voyageurs (OJHL) (17)
18. Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) (18)
19. Ottawa Jr. A Senators (CCHL) (19)
20. Saint-Jerome Pantheres (LHJAAAQ) (HM)
Honourable Mention: Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL); Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL); Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL); OCN Blizzard (MJHL); Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)
The CJHL Top 20 weekly rankings were based upon a variety of factors, including the league in which the team plays, winning percentage, win-loss record, and total points accumulated along with goals-for versus goals-against ratio, etc.
The CJHL is an amalgamation of 10 Jr. A hockey leagues across Canada.
More information on the CJHL can be found by visiting the league website www.cjhlhockey.com.
