SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, September 2, 2016
Fort Frances Lakers lone SIJHL side in CJHL preseason rankings
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced their Top 20 preseason rankings for the 2016-17 campaign Friday with the Superior International Junior Hockey League’s Fort Frances Lakers being the lone SIJHL side to crack the list.
The three-team defending Bill Salonen Cup champion Lakers were slotted sixth in the preseason rankings among the 132 teams that comprise the CJHL across the country and parts of the U.S.
Fort Frances was ranked fifth overall in the final CJHL rankings of 2015-16.
Tabbed in the No. 1 spot is the Portage Terriers (MJHL) followed by the 2017 Dudley-Hewitt Cup host and 2016 DHC champion Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) at No. 2.
Rounding out the top three in the CJHL preseason poll are the Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL), West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) and Penticton Vees (BCHL) in third, fourth and fifth respectively.
The first CJHL regular season rankings for 2016-17 will be announced on Sept. 26.
The following is the CJHL top 20 preseason rankings and five honourable mention teams for the 2016-17 season:
CJHL PRESEASON TOP 20
RANK – TEAM (LEAGUE)
1. Portage Terriers (MJHL)
2. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
3. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
4. West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL)
5. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
6. Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL)
7. Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
8. Terrebonne Cobras (QJHL)
9. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)
10. Woodstock Slammers (MHL)
11. Coburg Cougars (OJHL)
12. Wenatchee Wild (BCHL)
13. Battlefords North Stars (SJHL)
14. Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL)
15. Dauphin Kings (MJHL)
16. Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL)
17. Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
18. College Francais de Longueil (QJHL)
19. Dieppe Commandos (MHL)
20. Estevan Bruins (SJHL)
Honourable Mention: Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL), Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL), Melfort Mustangs (SJHL), Steinbach Pistons (MJHL), Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)