EXPRESS NATIONALLY RANKED

The Canadian Junior Hockey League has released it's first rankings of teams across the country. After starting the season 4-0 and sitting at 4-1 through the first 3 weeks of the BCHL season the Express have made the cut sitting 11th. I may be wrong, but it might be the first time since the 2006 run to the Royal Bank Cup that the Express have been nationally ranked.

The defending RBC Cup champion Penticton Vees are ranked number 1. The other BCHL team on the list is the Victoria Grizzlies who are ranked 8th.

See the full release from the CJHL below:

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting announced today its Inaugural Top 20 rankings for the 2012-2012 season. Last year’s final rankings and the leagues in which the teams belong to are in parenthesis.

The CJHL Inaugural Top 20 as of Monday, September 24th

 1. (1) Penticton Vees (BCHL)
2. (11) Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
3. (HM) Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners(MHL)
4. (3) Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)
5.  (12) Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL)
6.  (NR) Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)
7.  (9) Portage Terriers (MJHL)
8. (NR) Victoria Grizzlies(BCHL)
9. (NR) Sudbury Nickel Barons(NOJHL)
10. (NR) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
11. (NR) Coquitlam Express (BCHL) 
12. (NR) Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL)
13. (NR) Dryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL)
14. (NR) Pembroke Lumber Kings (CCHL)
15. (NR) Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)
16. (NR) Truro Bearcats(MHL)
17. (NR) College Francais de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ)
18. (NR) Carlton Place Canadians (CCHL)
19. (NR) Oakville Blades (OJHL)

Honourable mention goes to the Canmore Eagles (AJHL), Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL), OCN Blizzard (MJHL), North Bay Trappers (NOJHL) Toronto Lakeshore Patriots (OJHL).

The rankings are based upon a variety of factors which includes the league in which the teams belong to, this season’s results in regular season, last season’s playoffs, as well as initial recruiting efforts for the upcoming season. Best wishes to all as the quest begins for the RBC Cup in Summerside, PEI in May 2013.

The CJHL is an amalgamation of ten Junior A hockey leagues from across Canada. More information on the CJHL can be found by clicking on the league website. www.cjhlhockey.com