NORTHERN ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE
NOJHL MEDIA UPDATE
Release Date: Friday, August 29, 2014
Thunderbirds, Gold Miners tabbed in CJHL preseason rankings
SUDBURY – The Canadian Junior Hockey League announced today its preseason top 20 rankings for the upcoming 2014-15 campaign and two Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League clubs have cracked the list.
The Soo Thunderbirds, who spent most of the second half of last season as the No. 1 club in the CJHL listings, were tabbed fifth in the initial rankings for 2014-15, which are compiled in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting.
Meanwhile the defending NOJHL champion Kirkland Lake Gold Miners were slotted 17th nationally.
The Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL) were ranked No. 1 followed by the Penticton Vees (BCHL) at No. 2.
Rounding out the top five are the Georgetown Raiders (OJHL) at No. 3 and the 2015 RBC Cup host Portage Terriers (MJHL) at No. 4.
The following is the CJHL top 20 preseason rankings for 2014-15, along with five honourable mention sides:
CJHL TOP 20
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE)
1. Fort McMurray Oil Barons (AJHL)
2. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
3. Georgetown Raiders (OJHL)
4. Portage Terriers (MJHL)
5. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
6. Drumheller Dragons (AJHL)
7. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL)
8. Yorkton Terriers (SJHL)
9. Langley Rivermen (BCHL)
10. Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL)
11. Woodstock Slammers (MHL)
12. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
13. Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL)
14. Merritt Centennials (BCHL)
15. Aurora Tigers (OJHL)
16. Truro Bearcats (MHL)
17. Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL)
18. Kingston Voyageurs (OJHL)
19. Selkirk Steelers (MJHL)
20. Les Pantheres de Saint Jerome (LHJQ)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Powell River Kings (BCHL); Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL); Battlefords North Stars (SJHL); Oakville Blades (OJHL): Kemptville 73’s (CCHL).
The first in-season CJHL Top 20 weekly rankings will be announced Sept. 30.
ABOUT THE CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS
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.