NOJHL clubs maintain representation in CJHL Top 20 Rankings

CALGARY, Alta. – The top two-tabbed clubs in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) continue to strut their stuff in the latest edition of its Top 20 Rankings, released Monday.

The front-running Brooks Bandits (AJHL) hold firm at No. 1 for a seventh-straight week while on the East Coast, the Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) maintain their grip on No. 2 in the nation.

Brooks has won 11 consecutive contests in the 16-team AJHL and boast a stellar 31-1-1-0 overall record to date.

As for Summerside, they continue to top the table in the Maritimes having gone 21-2-0-1 so far this season to lead the way among the 12 clubs in the MHL.

Making a move up two notches, Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) slides into the No. 3 slot in the rankings, which are compiled nationally by an independent scouting service.

With a LHJAAQ-best winning percentage of .865, Collège Français has reeled off 22 victories against just three defeats in regulation and one in overtime.

Over in eastern Ontario, the Ottawa Jr. A Senators jump to No. 4 in the listings.

Having gone 10-1-1-1 since late October, Ottawa has soared into first place, among the 12 clubs in the Central Canada Hockey League with a CCHL-leading 21-3-1-1 slate on the year.

Meanwhile, another solid side in Quebec, les Panthères de St-Jérôme round out the Top 5 in the CJHL.

They currently have the most points in the LHJAAAQ, but having played two more games than CFL, to sit second in the league there with a win % mark of .821.

The following are the CJHL Top 20 Rankings, as well as the five Honourable Mention teams, as of December 13:

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS (As of Dec. 13)
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (Previous ranking)

1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (1)
2. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (2)
3. Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (5)
4. Ottawa Jr. A Senators (CCHL) (6)
5. Panthères de St-Jérôme (LHJAAAQ) (3)
6. Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL) (7)
7. Timmins Rock (NOJHL) (9)
8. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (8)
9. Dauphin Kings (MJHL) (14)
10. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (12)
11. Red Lake Miners (SIJHL) (11)
12. Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL) (13)
13. Estevan Bruins (SJHL) (10)
14. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (4)
15. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (15)
16. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (16)
17. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (19)
18. Powassan Voodoos (NOJHL) (17)

19. Burlington Cougars (OJHL) (HM)
20. Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) (HM)

HONOURABLE MENTION: Soo Eagles (NOJHL); Pickering Panthers (OJHL); Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL); Condors du Cégep Beauce-Appalaches (LHJAAAQ); Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners (MHL).