THUNDER BAY, Ont. – Both the Thunder Bay North Stars and Dryden GM Ice Dogs of the Superior International Junior Hockey League continue to receive national attention as seen in the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 rankings released Monday.
Winner of seven consecutive contests, Thunder Bay jumped two slots this week and were tabbed 11th in the 132-team CJHL while Dryden held on to their No. 18 overall rating.
The North Stars remain in top spot in the SIJHL standings with a solid 21-5-2-0 record.
Their 44 points puts them three clear of the 19-4-3-0 GM Ice Dogs with the latter however holding two games in hand on their long-time rivals.
Dryden does boast the best winning percentage in the league at .788 while Thunder Bay is right behind at .786.
There was no change among the top two sides in the CJHL this week as Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) stays at No. 1 while the Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) continue at No. 2.
Having won 20 straight games has helped the Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) move to No. 3 in the CJHL.
Rounding out the top five are the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) at No. 4 and the 2017 Dudley-Hewitt Cup host Trenton Golden Hawks at No. 5.
The following is the latest CJHL Top 20 rankings:
CJHL TOP 20 (As of Dec. 12, 2016)
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST WEEK)
1. Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (1)
2. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) (2)
3. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (5)
4. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (8)
5. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (3)
6. Penticton Vees (BCHL) (4)
7. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (6)
8. Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) (7)
9. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (10)
10. Whitby Fury (OJHL) (HM)
11. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) (13)
12. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (HM)
13. Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (9)
14. Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) (14)
15. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (17)
16. Winkler Flyers (MJHL) (HM)
17. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (HM)
18. Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (18)
19. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL) (20)
20. Pictou County Weeks Crushers (MHL) (19)
Honourable Mention: Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL); Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL); Portage Terriers (MJHL); Cobourg Cougars (OJHL); Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL)
ABOUT THE CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS
The CJHL Top 20 weekly rankings are based upon a variety of factors, including the league in which the team plays, winning percentage, win-loss record, total points accumulated, goals-for versus goals-against ratio, etc.
ABOUT THE CJHL
The Canadian Junior Hockey League is a national organization comprised of all 10 Junior A hockey leagues in Canada.
The CJHL represents 132 teams and over 3,000 players and has just as many former players furthering their hockey careers at the professional, major junior and college level across North America.
