Press Release
CALGARY, Alberta - The early season is already showing some surprises
as the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and Alberta Junior Hockey
League (AJHL) are well underway. The Powell River Kings of the BCHL
appear to have regained their traditional strength through strong
defense under Head Coach Kent Lewis, and the Cowichan Valley Capitals
have had an instant return to respectability under new Head Coach Bob
Beatty. In the AJHL, defending national champion Brooks is off to a good
start. But the hottest in the AJHL, the Fort McMurray Oil Barons,
remain undefeated after seven games and early on look to have a team
that could remain atop the CJHL Top 20 Rankings all year.
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and Manitoba Junior Hockey
League (MJHL) have just started their seasons. Humboldt and Portage
played great in the first weekend, with the early surprise in the MJHL
looking like the Selkirk Steelers.
In the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL), there is a dead
heat already between the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners and perennial
stalwarts, the Soo Thunderbirds. The Dryden Ice Dogs have jumped out
quickly, and time will tell if they have the consistent scoring to hold
on to top spot in the Superior International Junior Hockey League
(SIJHL).
Trenton has started well in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL),
and two surprise teams are catching people off guard with their strong
play early in the new season - the Hamilton Red Wings and Milton
Icehawks are in unfamiliar spots near the top of the West Division. The
Ottawa Jr. Senators and Carleton Place Canadiens haven't skipped a beat
since last season in the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL).
Les Cougars de Sherbrooke of the Quebec Junior AAA League, (LHJAAAQ)
might be making the biggest impact in the CJHL with their first eight
games under their belt and an undefeated record. Princeville is already a
distant four points behind les Cougars in the Perron-Burrows Division.
In the Maritime Hockey League (MHL), Truro has started strong, but
Yarmouth, host city of the upcoming World Junior A Challenge in
November, are nipping at the Bearcats heels in the Eastlink Division.
Top 20 Rankings
1. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)
2. Les Cougars de Sherbrooke (LHJAAAQ)
3. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)
4. Truro Bearcats (MHL)
5. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
6. Powell River Kings (BCHL)
7. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL)
8. Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL)
9. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
10. Dryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL)
11. Portage Terriers (MJHL)
12. Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL)
13. Hamilton Red Wings (OJHL)
14. La Ronge Ice Wolves (SJHL)
15. West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
16. Carleton Place Canadiens (CCHL)
17. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
18. Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
19. Kindersley Klippers (SJHL)
20. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL)
Honourable Mention: Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL), Selkirk Steelers
(MJHL), Milton Icehawks (OJHL), Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL), Titan de
Princeville (LHJAAAQ).
(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
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