TORONTO – For a second week in succession, the Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL) have been slotted No. 1 in the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top 20 Rankings, released Monday.
Smiths Falls has started strong in Central Canada Hockey League play with a solid 8-0-0-0 record to begin their 2023-24 campaign.
Tabbed No. 2 nationally in the 122-team CJHL are the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
Scott Barney’s squad is 4-0-0-0 and have allowed a SJHL-low of only six goals-against.
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s lone current club, who have yet to taste defeat, the Winkler Flyers, have won six straight to begin play in the 13-team loop and come in No. 3 in the weekly listings, which are compiled by an independent scouting service.
Another unbeaten SIJHL side, in the Melfort Mustangs, come in at No. 4 with a crisp 6-0-0-0 mark, with four victories in regulation, one in overtime, plus another via the shootout.
Rounding out the Top 5 are the defending Ontario Junior Hockey League champions, the Collingwood Blues.
Collingwood is playing .923 hockey entering the week while boasting an impressive 12-1-0-0 record and has seen them skate away with six consecutive triumphs.
The following are the CJHL Top 20 Rankings, and honourable mentions, for the period concluding October 9.
CJHL TOP 20
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST WEEK)
1. Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL) (1)
2. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (2)
3. Winkler Flyers (MJHL) (5)
4. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (6)
5. Collingwood Blues (OJHL) (8)
6. Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL) (4)
7. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (10)
8. Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) (7)
9. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (18)
10. Rockland Nationals (CCHL) (3)
11. Panthères de St-Jérôme (LHJAAAQ) (15)
12. Markham Royals (OJHL) (12)
13. L’Everest de la Côte-Sud (LHJAAAQ) (9)
14. Dauphin Kings (MJHL) (NR)
15. Sioux Lookout Bombers (SIHL) (7)
16. Miramichi Timberwolves (MHL) (NR)
17. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL (NR)
18. Drumheller Dragons (AJHL) (NR)
19. Blind River Beavers (NOJHL) (NR)
20. Edmundston Blizzard (MHL) (11)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Blackfalds Bulldogs (AJHL); Calgary Canucks (AJHL); Milton Menace (OJHL); Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (HM); Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners (MHL).
ABOUT THE RANKINGS: The CJHL Top 20 Rankings are compiled during the course of the regular season by an independent scouting service and are determined using a variety of factors during the process.
ABOUT THE CJHL: The Canadian Junior Hockey League is a national organization comprised of nine Junior A leagues from Alberta to the Maritimes. The CJHL currently represents 122 teams and well over 2,500 players. There are also 3,000-plus CJHL alumni furthering their hockey careers at the NHL, AHL, ECHL, SPHL, NCAA, U SPORTS and CHL levels across North America as well as leagues across Europe.
Photo credit: icelevel.com