Sunday, December 25, 2011

SJHL POWER RANKINGS

Press Release

1-HUMBOLDT BRONCOS (27-10-3)
The RBC Cup hosts are rounding into form and are hot as they head into the Christmas break.  Line-up additions like Taylor Duzan and John Lawrence have made them a deeper team.  The defense looks solid, and Matt Hrynkiw is a quiet 15-and-2 between the pipes.  I think the best is still yet to come.

2-WEYBURN RED WINGS (26-10-1)
Dwight McMillan and Ron Rumball have put together some pretty amazing teams over the years, but this has to qualify as one of their best roster constructions ever.  They've filled holes with their secondary scoring (Jordon Hoffman, Miguel Pereira, Jack Kennelly), they've developed a very deep defense led by Jens Johnson, Ryan Whitell, and Dylan Coupal.  Mitch Kilgore gives them some of the best goaltending the SJHL has to offer night in and night out. 

3-LA RONGE ICE WOLVES (21-13-4)
Don't let the record fool you.  This is a powerhouse.  The return of Marc-Andre Carre from the pro ranks and the trade acquisition of Zac Ashdown have given the Ice Wolves big time front line threats.  They are extremely tough to play in their own rink and Alex Rajotte may be the best goalie in the Harrow Division.  Despite a hole or two on defense, the back end hasn't been a problem and there are rumors of an addition there too.

4-BATTLEFORDS NORTH STARS (28-9-2)
The fact that the Stars are actually fourth and not first should tell you how tough this league is.  Battlefords have struggled to score goals as of late and go into the Holidays on a four game slide, although they looked like a first place team again in the final 25 minutes of their last game against Humboldt.  The pedestrian powerplay is a huge mystery.  Still, any club that boasts the league's leading scorer, the league's top goalie, and the two most prolific offensive defensemen in the league should not be taken lightly.

5-YORKTON TERRIERS (19-14-2)
Not a team anyone should relish seeing in the playoffs.  The Terriers have enough warriors from long playoff runs of the past two seasons to go with some new front liners like Tayler Thompson, Tyler Giebel, and Brent Struble (who missed last year's playoff run because of injury).  The defense is small, but deep.  Other than the fact they don't really have a superstar scorer, there are no glaring weaknesses here. 

6-FLIN FLON BOMBERS (21-10-6)
If the Bombers are contending now, there is no reason to think they won't contend next year too.  The nucleus is young, despite the acquisition of 20-year-old Jesse Mysiorek from Kindersley.  If they are to beat some of the teams above them on this list, they will need inexperience and talent to defeat experience, proven character, and established drive. 

7-ESTEVAN BRUINS (20-18-1)
The Bruins are a little bit like Flin Flon in that they have a real talented team, but it's also young and not proven in the playoffs.  They no longer have the benefit of a small rink to intimidate.  In fact, the Bruins may want to become a little tougher to play against on nights when they are not at their best.  Steps have been taken by head coach Keith Cassidy and Director of Player Personnel Rick Oakes.

8-MELVILLE MILLIONAIRES (16-14-5)
If the SJHL was a league where you could place bets on a team to win or lose, Melville would be a team I'd advise you to just not bother putting any money on at all.  They are the most unpredictable team in the league.  They could win 9-1 on Friday and lose 9-1 on Saturday to the same team.  It's all there.  Two pretty good goalies, a veteran defense, and a superstar top line.  Depth up front is a bit of a question and so is character.  If those issues are fixed, Melville could rocket up the rankings.

9-NIPAWIN HAWKS (17-17-2)
Melville North?  The Hawks were the hottest team in the league to start the year, but have come back to Earth in the last twenty games or so.  Head coach Doug Johnson has made a few trades to give his team a more consistent identity night in and night out.  The youngsters that led the way early are now discovering the games get incredibly more difficult the deeper into the season we go.  It's time for them to respond.

10-NOTRE DAME HOUNDS (13-21-3)
A Carson Grolla type defenseman is on everyone's wish list at Christmas.  The Hounds aren't likely to move anywhere in the standings.  They seem to have a decent lead on Kindersley for the final playoff spot and they are also a fair distance behind fourth place.  The challenge for head coach Kevin White is to make this team a tough second half club.  In the past, Hound teams have wilted down the stretch. 

11-KINDERSLEY KLIPPERS (9-27-3)
The playoffs are still within reach for the Klippers, who are breaking in newcomers for possible prominent roles next season. Brandon Stone has been given an opportunity in goal, while the likes of Wheaton King, Austin McDonald, Justin Lund, and Trent Hermary  have been thrust into increased ice time roles. Chris Manhas, Troy Gedny, and David Haaf are nice pieces on the back end.

12-MELFORT MUSTANGS (7-24-5)
Rookie head coach Gavin Holcomb deserves some accolades as this team has gotten increasingly better throughout the season.  The additions of Brandon Sloan and Jarett Zentner give the Mustangs a couple of point per game threats up front.  Mitch and Carter Berg are solid on the back end and there is potential offense from Brandon Parrone.  Getting Connor Bradshaw back from injury will be a boost.  

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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