Collingwood's Junior 'A' hockey team has climbed two spots in the national ranking to sit second behind the Winkler Flyers, from the city of the same name in Manitoba.
The Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings released today put the Winkler Flyers, part of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, in the top spot, and the Collingwood Blues, part of the Ontario Junior Hockey League, in second of 122 teams in the Canadian league.
The Blues remain the front-runners of the Ontario league, having won the league's Buckland Cup on home ice last season. They finished last year with a run at the Centennial Cup (championship for the Canadian league) but were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
This year, the Blues have a record of 15 wins and one loss, with zero ties or over-time losses.
The Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings are compiled by an independent scouting service. The rest of the rankings are as follows:
CJHL TOP 20
RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (LAST WEEK)
1. Winkler Flyers (MJHL) (1)
2. Collingwood Blues (OJHL) (4)
3. Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) (6)
4. Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) (3)
5. Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL) (2)
6. Brooks Bandits (AJHL) (5)
7. Sherwood Park Crusaders (AJHL (9)
8. Miramichi Timberwolves (MHL) (8)
9. Blackfalds Bulldogs (AJHL) (18)
10. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (HM)
11. Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) (7)
12. Dauphin Kings (MJHL) (14)
13. Milton Menace (OJHL) (HM)
14. Sioux Lookout Bombers (SIJHL) (15)
15. Soo Eagles (NOJHL) (19)
16. Markham Royals (OJHL) (17)
17. Panthères de St-Jérôme (LHJAAAQ) (10)
18. L’Everest de la Côte-Sud (LHJAAAQ) (13)
19. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL) (NR)
20. Cornwall Colts (CCHL) (16)
The Blues play in Collingwood at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena again on Friday, Oct. 27 against the Leamington Flyers.