SJHL Power Rankings – Week 1 (Sept. 23, 2025)
The first weekend of the SJHL season is in the books, and while it’s far too early to draw sweeping conclusions, some teams wasted no time making a statement. Others are still finding their footing. Here’s how things stack up after opening week:
1. Flin Flon Bombers
Two games against La Ronge, two dominant wins. The Bombers scored 14 goals on 106 shots, and Xavier Fauchon looks like the real deal. It’s a tiny sample size, but you couldn’t ask for a better start in Flin Flon.
2. Nipawin Hawks
The Hawks only played once, but it was a big one — taking down the defending champs in Melfort. Their power play already looks mid-season sharp. If that was a preview of what’s to come, Nipawin is going to be a handful.
3. Weyburn Red Wings
Maybe they were underrated in preseason talk. With 14 players back from their run to the Canterra Seeds Cup Final, the Wings flexed their experience with two wins over Yorkton. One was a blowout, the other a shootout, but four points are four points. Callas Pierce looks like a huge pickup.
4. Humboldt Broncos
Friday night was supposed to be Warman’s party, but Humboldt spoiled it. Both games against the Wolverines were close, but the Broncos leaned on stellar goaltending from Charlie Tritt to get it done. Not their sharpest weekend, but who’s in top form in September?
5. Kindersley Klippers
The Kyle Schneider era started in style with a big road win in Battlefords, but the North Stars spoiled the Klippers’ own home opener the next night. Rookie Kaegan Lowe from Macklin is off to a hot start and already turning heads.
6. Melville Millionaires
The Mils peppered Estevan with 81 shots over two games and only came away with one win. The process looks strong, even if the results didn’t totally follow. Doug Johnson’s group looks organized and dangerous — that bodes well for what’s to come.
7. Melfort Mustangs
No reason to panic, but Friday’s 4–3 loss to Nipawin was their first regulation one-goal defeat at home in over a year. This is still a deep, talented team, but it’s a reminder that last year’s dominance can’t just be assumed.
8. Yorkton Terriers
A tough start with two losses to Weyburn, but bright spots were there — especially the play of newcomer Gabrielle Courchesne. With leadership turnover from last season, it may take time for Yorkton to hit its stride, but the depth is still there.
9. Battlefords North Stars
Discipline was a problem for both the Stars and Klippers in their home-and-home, but Connor Logan earned his first win as head coach on Saturday. Goalie Thomas Samborski looks improved, which could be a game-changer for the Stars’ season.
10. Estevan Bruins
A rough opener in Melville, but Saturday’s bounce-back performance showed fight and resilience. Ethan Andrews has taken a clear step forward on the blue line, and though it’s a young, new-look roster, Drew Kocur’s team looks like it’s building something positive.
11. Warman Wolverines
Warman’s debut weekend brought plenty of excitement off the ice and flashes of fight on it. Griffin Wright impressed, and Vinny Palmarin looks every bit the right choice as captain. But old scoring struggles followed them from Notre Dame, and offense will be the key if they want to capitalize on the community buzz.
12. La Ronge Ice Wolves
The Wolves’ weekend was about much more than hockey. With the grand opening of the JRMCC, injuries, and their coach’s health situation, the results were secondary. Facing Flin Flon didn’t help, but this is a young group with room to grow as the season unfolds.
FIND SJHL WEEKLY FROM YESTERDAY HERE.
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