SUPERIOR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
SIJHL COMMUNICATIONS
MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014
Latest CJHL rankings keep Lakers 5th, North Stars 15th
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Fort Frances Lakers and Thunder Bay North Stars of the Superior International Junior Hockey League remained status quo this week in the latest installment of the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s top 20 rankings, which were announced Tuesday.
Sitting in first place in the SIJHL standings, the Lakers have been tabbed as the No. 5 club in the entire 128-team CJHL for another week while the North Stars were once again slotted in the No. 15 position in the weekly rankings, which are formulated in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting.
Fort Frances holds down top spot in the SIJHL with 86 points on their 41-6-2-2 overall record.
Thunder Bay meanwhile sits second in the league at 36-10-1-4, nine points in arrears.
The Lakers magic number to clinch the SIJHL’s regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming playoffs stands at two with any points gained by them, or lost by the North Stars, totalling two will give Fort Frances the crown.
They can wrap up first place tonight on home ice as they host the Wisconsin Wilderness in a 7:30 p.m. start at Ice for Kids Arena.
There was no changed this week among the four clubs currently ahead of the Lakers in the CJHL top 20.
The Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) were ranked No. 1 for a fourth consecutive week followed by the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL), Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) and Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL), who sit second through fourth respectively.
The following is the latest CJHL top 20 rankings, along with the five honourable mention squads:
CJHL TOP 20
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST WEEK)
1. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (1)
2. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (2)
3. Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) (3)
4. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) (4)
5. Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL) (5)
6. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) (6)
7. Kingston Voyageurs (OJHL) (9)
8. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (7)
9. Aurora Tigers (OJHL) (8)
10. Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) (12)
11. Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL) (10)
12. Langley Rivermen (BCHL) (11)
13. Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL) (13)
14. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (14)
15. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) (15)
16. Kindersley Klippers (SJHL) (16)
17. Toronto Lakeshore Patriots (OJHL) (HM)
18. Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL) (HM)
19. Saint-Jerome Panthers (LHJAAAQ) (19)
20. Truro Bearcats (MHL) (20)
Honourable Mention: Vernon Vipers (BCHL), Battlefords North Stars (SJHL), Portage Terriers (MJHL), Whitby Fury (OJHL), Miramichi Timberwolves (MHL)
ABOUT THE CJHL TOP 20
The CJHL Top 20 weekly rankings are based upon a variety of factors, including the league in which the team plays, winning percentage, win-loss record, total points accumulated, goals-for versus goals-against ratio, etc.
ABOUT THE CJHL
The Canadian Junior Hockey League is a national organization comprised of all 10 Jr. A hockey leagues in Canada.
The CJHL represents 128 teams and over 2,500 players and has over 2,800 alumni furthering their hockey careers at the professional, major junior and college level across North America.
For the latest CJHL news and features, visit www.cjhlhockey.com as well as follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/cjhlhockey or @cjhlhockey.