Blizzard Climb to 5 in National Rankings

The latest CJHL rankings are out, and the OCN Blizzard are back in the fifth spot, three ahead of the Winnipeg Blues.

Here is the release from the CJHL:

The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting announced today its Weekly Top 20 rankings for the week of November 19th. Last week's rankings and the leagues in which the teams belong to are in parenthesis.

The CJHL Weekly Top 20 as of Monday, November 19th:

1. (1) Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
2. (2) Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
3. (3) Truro Bearcats (MHL)
4. (5) Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL)
5. (8) OCN Blizzard (MJHL)
6. (6) Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
7. (17) Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL)
8. (4) Winnipeg Blues (MJHL) 
9. (10) Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL)
10. (9) Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
11. (15) Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
12. (11) Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL) 
13. (13) Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)
14. (18) Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)
15. (12) Penticton Vees (BCHL)
16. (7) Melville Millionaires (SJHL) 
17. (16) Yarmouth Jr. 'A' Mariners (MHL)
18. (HM) North Bay Trappers (NOJHL)
19. (19) Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL) 
20. (20) Saint Jerome Pantheres (LHJAAAQ)

Honourable Mention goes to the Yorkton Terriers (SJHL), Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL), St. Michael's Buzzers (OJHL), Oakville Blades (OJHL), Nepean Raiders (CCHL).

The weekly rankings are based upon a variety of factors, including the league in which the teams play, winning percentage, win-loss record, total points accumulated, goals-for versus goals-against ratio, etc.

** I will have some information about all of this weekend's action up later tonight. 

Team Canada West Roster Announced

Dean Brockman and company have chosen the 22 players who will represent Canada West at the World Junior A Championships in two weeks time. The team might as well called "Team BCHL"

Here is the full roster: http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/75137/la_id/1/season_id/197655/profile_id/197666/team_id/80789/ss_id/170547/

League Representation:

BCHL: 15 players
AJHL: 4 players
SJHL: 2 players
MJHL: 2 players (Keats & Stoykewich from WPG)

Few Trades Today in MJHL

A number of trades today in the MJHL with two of them including teams in the Sher-wood division.

Virden Oil Capitals Trade: 19-year old Forward Brendan Persley.




To

Vernon Vipers (BCHL) For: Futures

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Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) Trade: 18-year old defensemen Matt Alexander.



To

Portage Terriers For: Futures

Portage shores up defensively bringing in a big bodied defender with some experience.
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Daupin Kings Trade: 20-year old goaltender Matt Larose.




To

Wellington Dukes (OJHL) For: Futures

Kings move Larose as they go with Archibald and Pominville for now.


Really the only trade that impacts anything for the Blizzard is Persley going to Virden, should make the Oil Capitals tougher to play against due to his size and experience.

-Brad-