TORONTO – Continuing where they left off in December, the Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) maintain their perch atop the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s Top 20 Rankings – Fuelled by Gatorade, to commence 2024.
Despite suffering their first defeat in regulation since back in late October, on the road Saturday against the surging Melfort Mustangs, the Bombers still sport a solid 29-2-2-0 record to sit comfortably in first place in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League standings.
Slotted No. 2 in the 122-team CJHL are the Brooks Bandits (AJHL).
The front-runners in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Brooks boasts a 37-4-0-0 mark to top the table there.
Tabbed at No. 3 in the listings, which are compiled via an independent scouting service, are the Collingwood Blues (OJHL).
Collingwood has gone 32-5-0-1 to date to lead the way in the Ontario Junior Hockey League.
Meanwhile, the Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) come in at No. 4 in the latest rankings.
The Pistons are playing .833 hockey so far this season, having gone 26-4-3-0, to hold down first place in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Rounding out the Top 5 are the Summerside Western Capitals (MHL).
Under head coach Billy McGuigan, the Western Capitals are a crisp 24-3-3-3 to lead the way in the Maritimes, picking up 54 of a possible 66 points on the campaign, along the way.
The following are the CJHL Top 20, and honourable mentions – Fuelled by Gatorade, for period concluding Jan. 7.
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) (5)
5. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (6)
6. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL (8)
7. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (4)
8. Milton Menace (OJHL) (9)
9. Winkler Flyers (MJHL) (7)
10. Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL) (10)
11. Navan Grads (CCHL) (14)
12. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (11)
13. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (HM)
14. Blind River Beavers (NOJHL) (16)
15. Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL) (15)
16. Sioux Lookout Bombers (SIJHL) (20)
17. VC de Laval (LHJAAAQ) (12)
18. Condors du Cégep Beauce-Appalaches (LHJAAAQ) (HM)
19. West Kent Steamers (MHL) (18)
20. Kam River Fighting Walleye (SIJHL) (17)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Okotoks Oilers (AJHL); Melfort Mustangs (SJHL); Toronto Jr. Canadiens (OJHL); Rockland Nationals (CCHL); Edmundston Blizzard (MHL)
