The SJHL Power Rankings are decided each and every week by a group of SJHL broadcasters and will be released each Tuesday.
1. Flin Flon Bombers 26-1-2-0 (Last Week 1st):
The Bombers train continues to roll through Saskatchewan as Flin Flon earned another three victories this past week. This time it was Noah Houle leading the charge with a pair of goals and four assists, resulting in him being named SGEU MVP of the Week. Flin Flon will wrap up the 2023 portion of their schedule on the weekend where they play a home and home against the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
2. Melfort Mustangs 20-9-2-0 (Last Week 4th):
It was a big week for the Melfort Mustangs as they earned a valuable six points in the standings which vaulted them into 2nd place in the SJHL standings going into the final week of the regular season before the holiday break. They also bolstered their line-up on Sunday by adding Yorkton Terriers Captain Clay Sleeva in a blockbuster trade. Melfort will be looking to extend their winning streak Tuesday night in Melville against the Millionaires before they battle the Nipawin Hawks in a home and home this weekend.
3. Humboldt Broncos 19-6-2-1 (Last Week 3rd):
Similar to the Melfort Mustangs, the Humboldt Broncos had a perfect week. Two victories over the two teams residing in the Parkland region have the Broncos in a race with the Mustangs and North Stars for 2nd place in the SJHL. Captain Cage Newans had a great week for the club, registering six points and being named Bourgault Forward of the Week. Humboldt will remain at home this weekend as they host Weyburn and Notre Dame.
4. Battlefords North Stars 19-7-2-1 (Last Week 2nd):
The Battlefords North Stars had a valuable week off this past week as the defending Canterra Seeds Cup Champions were able to get some rest and have some time to practice following a pair of overtime losses the last time they were on the ice. Battlefords will return to the ice Tuesday when they host the Notre Dame Hounds and then wrap up the 2023 portion of their schedule in a home and home against Kindersley on the weekend.
5. Estevan Bruins 13-12-0-2 (Last Week 8th):
After falling 4-0 to the Melfort Mustangs Wednesday night on the road, the Estevan Bruins were hoping for a much better performance in Nipawin against the Hawks, and they got just that. Estevan would sweep the pair of games with the Hawks, vaulting them up to 6th in the SJHL. The Bruins will now get a chance to play in front of their home fans Wednesday night when they tangle with the Yorkton Terriers for the first time this season and then play a neutral site game just up Highway 39 in Midale Friday against the Notre Dame Hounds.
6. Nipawin Hawks 14-14-0-2 (Last Week 7th):
Three out of a possible six points isn’t a bad week in the SJHL, but the Nipawin Hawks were probably hoping for more as they played all three games at home this past week. Liam McInnis has fit in like a glove since being acquired from the La Ronge Ice Wolves. The 20-year-old had a four point night in his Hawks debut Tuesday against Weyburn. Nipawin will be on the ice this weekend for a home and home against Melfort.
7. Melville Millionaires 13-12-0-0 (Last Week 6th):
The lone game of the week for the Millionaires saw them fall 5-3 in a tight contest against the Humboldt Broncos on Saturday. Melville is currently holding on to the 8th and final playoff spot and one thing which they have going for them is they have played the least amount of games out of an SJHL team. Melville will play their lone game of the week Tuesday at home against the Melfort Mustangs.
8. Kindersley Klippers 12-13-2-2 (Last Week 5th):
It was a tough weekend on the road for the Kindersley Klippers who failed to get any points in their two game trip to Melfort and La Ronge. Both one goal games. However, Kindersley didn’t leave La Ronge empty handed as they acquired 20-year-old forward Kale Taylor from the Ice Wolves. Kindersley looks to get back in the win column Wednesday when they play their “Hooky for Hockey” game at 12:30 pm when they host the Notre Dame Hounds. They will also face-off against the Battlefords North Stars for a home and home this weekend.
9. Weyburn Red Wings 10-12-0-4 (Last Week 9th):
Heading North for an extended road trip has been a daunting task for many teams this season. It was no different for the Weyburn Red Wings this past week as they dropped all three of their games, being outscored 17-4 combined. The Wings are 2-8 in their last 10 and are hoping to close out 2023 on the right foot as they head to Humboldt Friday for a match-up with the Broncos and then return home Saturday for a date with the Terriers.
10. La Ronge Ice Wolves 9-18-2-1 (Last Week 10th):
Despite a 1-1 week for the Ice Wolves, La Ronge played well in both of their home games this week and it may have been the best pair of games of the season for goaltender Topher Chirico. The 20-year-old goaltender was the busiest netminder in the SJHL this past week by far, facing 88 shots and only allowing 3 goals. As a result, he was named Sasktel Goalie of the Week. Unfortunately for the Wolves and their quest to get back in the race for a playoff spot, they will have a home and home with the Flin Flon Bombers to close out 2023 this weekend.
11. Yorkton Terriers 8-18-1-1 (Last Week 11th):
After falling for the 8th time in a row Saturday to the Melfort Mustangs, the Yorkton Terriers made substantial change ahead of the holiday trade freeze. They moved out Captain Clay Sleeva to the Melfort Mustangs and forward Cade Kennedy to the Estevan Bruins. Head Coach and General Manager Emery Olauson got a great return though in the Sleeva trade, adding 19-year-old forward David Coyle, prospects Thomas Reis and Kale Johns, and a 2nd Round pick in 2025. The Terriers will be on the road Wednesday to take on the Bruins in Estevan and on Saturday where they will meet the Red Wings in Weyburn.
12. Notre Dame Hounds 7-20-1-0 (Last Week 12th):
The Notre Dame Hounds entered their 10 day lay off on a four game losing streak. Now after some rest and plenty of time to practice, the Hounds will wrap up 2023 with four games in five nights. They will be in Battlefords Tuesday night, Kindersley Wednesday afternoon, Midale Friday for a neutral site game against the Estevan Bruins, and then on the road in Humboldt Saturday to conclude the week against the Broncos.
