TORONTO – The Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) hit the middle of January still No. 1 in the latest Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top 20 Rankings – Fuelled by Gatorade, announced Monday.
Continuing to pace the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Flin Flon boast a SJHL-best record of 29-2-2-0 through their first 33 outings of the campaign. Still slotted No. 2 in the weekly listings, which are compiled via an independent scouting service, are the Brooks Bandits (AJHL). The defending Centennial Cup champion Bandits sit in top spot in the 16-team Alberta Junior Hockey League, having gone 37-4-0-0 to date. Tabbed No. 3 in the 122-team CJHL are the Collingwood Blues (OJHL). Playing at an .863 winning percentage, the Blues lead the Ontario Junior Hockey League with 34-5-0-1 numbers. At No. 4 nationally are the Steinbach Pistons (MJHL). Through their initial 35 contests, Steinbach has gone 28-4-3-0 to lead the way in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Meanwhile, another OJHL club, in the Trenton Golden Hawks, wrap-up the Top 5 this week. Trenton has gone 31-7-0-1 so far this season. The following are the CJHL Top 20, and honourable mentions – Fuelled by Gatorade, for period concluding Jan. 14. CJHL TOP 20 – FUELLED BY GATORADE RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (PREVIOUS RANKING) 1. Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) (1) 2. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (2) 3. Collingwood Blues (OJHL) (3) 4. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (4) 5. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (7) 6. Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL) (10) 7. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL (6) 8. Winkler Flyers (MJHL) (9) 9. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (5) 10. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (12) 11. Milton Menace (OJHL) (8) 12. Blind River Beavers (NOJHL) (14) 13. Navan Grads (CCHL) (11) 14. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (13) 15. Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL) (15) 16. VC de Laval (LHJAAAQ) (17) 17. Condors du Cégep Beauce-Appalaches (LHJAAAQ) (18) 18. Sioux Lookout Bombers (SIJHL) (16) 19. West Kent Steamers (MHL) (19) 20. Blackfalds Bulldogs (AJHL) (NR) HONOURABLE MENTION: Okotoks Oilers (AJHL); Leamington Flyers (OJHL); Cornwall Colts (CCHL); Rockland Nationals (CCHL); Edmundston Blizzard (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.