CALGARY, Alta. – Producing one the best regular season records in Canadian Junior Hockey League history, the Brooks Bandits (AJHL) head into the playoffs at No. 1 in the final CJHL Top 20 Rankings for 2018-19.
The 2019 Canadian National Junior A Championship-host Bandits wrapped up their campaign with an incredible 33-game winning streak and finished on top of the AJHL standings with an impressive 57-3-0 overall record.
Finishing No. 2 nationally, the Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL), sit at 44-3-1-1 with seven games left on their slate.
Title holders in the OJHL’s regular season, Oakville Blades, end up No. 3 overall and are the top seed in their playoffs.
With a week to go until they hit the postseason, the No. 4 Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) have locked up the season crown in the Maritimes.
Another first-place finisher, les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) wind up at No. 5 in the 133-team CJHL and will start the playoffs in Quebec in the No. 1 slot.
Rounding out the Top 10 in 2018-19 are the North York Rangers (OJHL); Portage Terriers (MHL); Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL); Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) and the Yarmouth Jr. A Mariners (MHL) at sixth through 10th respectively.
Final 2018-19 CJHL Top 20 Rankings
RK TEAM (LEAGUE) (PREVIOUS RANKING)
1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (1)
2. Thunder Bay North Stars (SIJHL) (2)
3. Oakville Blades (OJHL) (3)
4. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (4)
5. Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ) (5)
6. North York Rangers (OJHL) (6)
7. Portage Terriers (MJHL) (7)
8. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (8)
9. Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) (9)
10. Yarmouth Jr. ‘A’ Mariners (MHL) (10)
11. College Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (11)
12. Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL) (13)
13. Brockville Braves (CCHL) (12)
14. Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL) (14)
15. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL) (15)
16. Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL) (16)
17. Amherst Ramblers (MHL) (HM)
18. Cobourg Cougars (OJHL) (18)
19. Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) (17)
20. Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) (19)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Merritt Centennials (BCHL); Penticton Vees (BCHL); Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL); Melfort Mustangs (SJHL); Ottawa Jr. ‘A’ Senators (CCHL)