This looks good on the NOJHL


By
October 6, 2015

It may only be a ranking that is conducted weekly by the Canadian Jr. Hockey League as a means of promotion.

But the fact of the matter is that three teams from the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League made the most-recent CJHL Top 20 rankings — and a fourth earned honourable mention.

Which, if nothing else, is recognition that usually eludes the NOJHL.

Whether it’s because of propaganda that is dished out by other leagues under the CJHL umbrella or not, the NOJHL has for years been viewed as being a level below the so-called powers.

But two Dudley-Hewitt Cup, Central Canada championships by the Soo Thunderbirds in the past four years — and beating the mighty Ontario Jr. Hockey League along the way — has helped boost the status of the NOJHL, which has grown to 12 teams during that span.

At any rate, the latest Top 20 CJHL rankings are in and they show the Powassan Voodoos at no. 3, the Cochrane Crunch at no. 11, the Thunderbirds at no. 17 and the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners with an honourable mention.

So, as my friend Nick Cavaliere, who co-owns Fratelli’s Kitchen and Giovanni’s Restaurant in Sault Ste. Marie, is fond of saying when good food is delivered to the table: “ENJOY!”


What you think about “This looks good on the NOJHL”

  1. This is great and you know what Elliot Lake could be in there with Kirkland Lake as honorabul mention as well too IMO.

  2. Good for the NOJHL !!
    Good to see the north get some recognition.
    Maybe it will stop the steady migration of northern players to the south .

  3. There are some strong teams in the league, and that’s great for exposure. Nice to see making waves in the national rankings. And not to take away from these teams accomplishments so far, but it is still early October and a quick look at the schedule played, and these teams have had very weak schedules so far, with Powassan being the strongest schedule. The Thunderbirds in 9 wins have 4 over the 1-6 Eagles, 2 over the Beavers (one in overtime), and another over the 3-7 Eskies. One could make the case that the only real challenge they’ve faced so far was the Crunch, whom they lost to. Cochrane’s schedule is equally weak, playing 2 contenders out of 9 games, and splitting those 1-1. Much like the party started prematurely in Rayside with season opening wins against expansion teams and since are 0-5, lets be happy for the clubs but recognize there’s a whole lot of hockey to be played.

  4. i remember back when Huntsville was JR A they went on a tear and had a 42 and 7 record on the season and it took until the last 2 weeks of the season to get an honorable mention and then a ranking.

    its about time the CJHL starts paying attention to whats going on in places other than the AJHL or BCHL

  5. Craig: I remember that season well. Huntsville finished first in their division with a stacked team (maximum 9 twenty year olds) and earned a bye. That cooling off period may have done them in as they lost their only playoff round to fourth place Stouffville.

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