Canadian Jr. A Playoffs: Pacific Region

It may only be February, but the playoffs are upon us in the Canadian Jr. A Ranks as the Canadian Junior Hockey Leagues (CJHL) have one of the longest and most complex playoff format in the world. In all, 11 leagues make up this level of play in different parts of Canada with over 140 teams playing that started the season back in September, will be cut down to 5 when we reach the RBC Cup in Early May which will be in Dauphin, Manitoba this season.

Here's a quick synopsis of the 2 leagues that make up the playoffs in the Pacific Region.

British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL): With the Conference Top Seeds getting first Round Byes. The playoffs start with the teams ranked 2 through 7 within the Conference. After that, the winners will advance to the Conference Semifinals where the #1 seed will play the lowest remining seed while the #2 and #3 seeds will play each other in the 2nd Round. After the 2nd Round, the Conference Finalist will square off for the Conference Championships who will play for the League Champioships. All matches are best of 7.

Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL): Like in the BCHL, the top seed will get a first round bye while the #2 takes on the #7, #3 against the #6 and the #4 vs. #5. Then after the 1st round, the top seed will play lowest remaining seed while the other two teams will face off in the Divisoin Semifinal. Then in the 3rd Round, the 4 remining teams will cross over where the top 4 seeds will be reseeded as the #1 overall will take on the #4 overall, while the #2 VS. #3 overall seeds will take off. Then Semifinal Winners will face off for the League Championship. The first round will be a best of 5 while the

Doyle Cup: This will be the best of 7 series that will crown the Pacific Region Champions where the Alberta League Champions will have home ice this year as home ice flip flops in this series. The winner will advance to the RBC Cup in Dauphin, Manitoba to play for the National Championship in early May.

All the Series will be a best of 7 Series with 1 excption. The AJHL will use a best of 5 during the 1st Round. The rest of the series will be a best of 7 format.

After the BCHL & AJHL Champions are crowned, the league champions will play for the Doyle Cup which is a best of 7 series In Mid April where the Winner will be crowned Regional Champions. And advance to the 5 team RBC Cup for the National Championship to play the West Region, Ontario Region and Atlantic Region Champions.

In addiditon, the Dauphin Kings who are hosting will get an automatic bid. After finishing with the MJHL's best record this season, they look for the rare feat of winning the RBC Cup on home soil.

Here's a look at the Final Standings and Playoff Matchups in the BCHL & AJHL.


British Columbia Hockey League Final Standings

Costal Conference

1. Alberni Valley 60 GP 45-12-1-2 93 PTS 233-145

2. Powell River 60 GP 36-17-1-6 79 PTS 216-160

3. Victoria 60 GP 34-18-2-6 76 PTS 220-175

4. Langley 60 GP 33-22-2-3 71 PTS 226-209

5. Surrey 60 GP 30-24-0-6 66 PTS 196-190

6. Nanaimo 60 GP 24-25-1-10 59 PTS 197-204

7. Cowichan Valley 60 GP 25-32-0-3 53 PTS 181-243

8. Burnaby 60 GP 18-36-0-6 42 PTS 175-256


Interior Conference

1. Vernon 60 GP 51-6-0-3 105 PTS 298-119

2. Penticton 60 GP 48-8-0-4 100 PTS 284-143

3. Westside 60 GP 38-18-1-3 80 PTS 244-173

4. Salom Arm 60 GP 29-25-3-3 64 PTS 227-227

5. Quesnel 60 GP 22-32-0-6 50 PTS 208-245

6. Trail 60 GP 20-32-1-7 48 PTS 216-271

7. Merritt 60 GP 22-36-0-2 46 PTS 215-319

8. Prince George 60 GP 18-37-1-4 41 PTS 210-270

9. Williams Lake 60 GP 10-49-1-0 21 PTS 157-354


Clinched 1st Round Byes

Clinched Playoff Spots



BCHL Playoff Matchups

Costal Conference Quarterfinals

#2 Powell River Kings VS. #7 Cowichan Valley Capitals

#3 Victoria Grizzlies VS. #6 Nanaimo Clippers

#4 Langley Chiefs VS. #5 Surrey Eagles


Conference Semifinals

#1 Alberni Valley Bulldogs VS. Lowest Seeded Quarterfinal Winner

#2 Seeded Team VS. #3 Seeded Team


Interior Conference

Conference Quarterfinals

#2 Penticton Vees VS. #7 Merritt Centenials

#3 Westside Warriors VS. #6 Trail Smoke Eaters

#4 Salom Arm Silverbacks VS. #5 Quesnel Millionaires


Conference Semifinals

#1 Vernon Vipers VS. Lowest Seeded Quarterfinal Winner

#2 Seeded Team VS. #3 Seeded Team

Here's the Full Playoff Bracket: www.bchl.ca/leagues/bracket_vert.cfm?clientid=1413&leagueid=2393



Alberta Junior Hockey League Final Standings

North Division

1. Spruce Grove 60 GP 52-4-1-3 108 PTS 252-99

2. Grande Prairie 60 GP 40-17-1-2 83 PTS 233-174

3. Ft. Mcmurray 60 GP 37-19-1-3 78 PTS 235-168

4. Sherwood Park 60 GP 33-18-2-7 75 PTS 206-181

5. Bonnyville 60 GP 27-29-2-2 58 PTS 175-190

6. St. Albert 60 GP 24-29-2-5 55 PTS 218-260

7. Lloydminister 60 GP 19-32-2-7 47 PTS 173-220

8. Drayton Valley 60 GP 12-42-3-3 30 PTS 139-269


South Division

1. Okotoks 60 GP 38-18-1-3 80 PTS 249-187

2. Camrose 60 GP 32-17-4-7 75 PTS 201-170

3. Olds 60 GP 30-23-2-5 67 PTS 189-185

4. Calgary Canucks 60 GP 29-27-3-1 62 PTS 214-225

5. Brooks 60 GP 28-27-1-4 61 PTS 218-205

6. Canmore 60 GP 26-26-3-5 60 PTS 202-217

7. Calgary Royals 60 GP 21-29-2-8 52 PTS 213-255

8. Drumheller 60 GP 17-37-0-6 40 PTS 157-269


AJHL Playoff Matchups

North Division 1st Round

#2 Grande Prairie Storm VS. #7 Lloydminster Bobcats

#3 Ft. Mcmurray Oil Barons VS. #6 St. Albert Steel

#4 Sherwood Park Crusaders VS. #5 Bonnyville Pontiacs


North Division 2nd Round

#1 Spurce Groove Saints VS. Lowest Seeded 1st Round Winner

#2 Seeded Team VS. #3 Seeded Team


South Division 1st Round

#2 Camrose Kodiaks VS. #7 Calgary Royals

#3 Olds Grizzlies VS. #6 Canmore Eagles

#4 Calgary Canucks VS. #5 Brooks Bandits



South Division 2nd Round

#1 Okotoks Oilers VS. 4th Seeded Team

#2 Seeded Team VS. #3 Seeded Team

Alberta Junior Hockey League Playoff Bracket: www.ajhl.ca/leagues/bracket_vert.cfm?leagueID=3464&clientID=1705&link=AJHL/

This Weeks Junior and College Rankings: 12/6

Major Junior

The Windsor Spitfires contuine to be the #1 team in the Major Junior Rankings, but the St. John Seadogs with the 20 game winning streak and the 1 team overall in the QMJHL, they are catching up quickly and could have the pontentital to overtake them when the new rankings come on Wednesday. Barrie is currently in 3rd with them leading the OHL Eastern Conference with the Saskatoon Blades in 4th.

The defending QMJHL Champion Drummondville Voltigeurs are currently in 5th, but the Victoriaville Tigers who are just 2 points back of the Voltigeurs in the QMJHL Central Division which sit in 7th right now with the Mississauga St. Micheals Majors in between the Central Division Powers in 6t.

2 WHL Teams in the Calgary Hitmen and the Tri-City Americans are in 8th and 9th with the Quebec City Ramparts rounding out the #10 this week. Finally, this weeks Honorable Mentions are the Kitchener Rangers, Vancouver Giants and Rouyn-Nornda Huskies.

1. Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

2. St. John Seadogs (QMJHL)

3. Barrie Colts (OHL)

4. Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

5. Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)

6. Mississauga St. Micheals Majors (OHL)

7. Victoriaville Tigers (QMJHL)

8. Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

9. Tri-City Americans (WHL)

10. Quebec City Ramparts (QMJHL)


Honorable Mentions

Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

Vancouver Giants (WHL)

Rouyn-Nornda Huskies (QMJHL)


Canadien Junior A

The top 6 remained unchanged this week as the Vernon Vipers remained the top team right now as the top teams contuined their top form. You have to look at #7 with the Cornwall Colts moving up 2 spots Georgetown and Woodstock have moved up 1 spot to #8 and #9, rounding out the top 10 this week is the AJHL's Grande Prairie Storm moved up 2 spots to #10.

Not many big jumpers this week as the Westside Warriors and Alberni Valley Bulldogs were honorable Mentions have jumped up to #17 and #18. As for the big fallers, we had the Oakville Blades and the Ft. Mcmurray Oil Barons have dropped 3 spots each this week.

This Weeks Rankings

1 (1). Vernon Vipers (BCHL)

2 (2). Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)

3 (3). Dauphin Kings (MJHL)

4 (4). Kingston Voyaguers (OJAHL)

5 (5). Penticton Vees (BCHL)

6 (6). Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJAHL)

7 (9). Cornwall Colts (CJAHL)

8 (7). Georgetown Raiders (OJAHL)

9 (10). Woodstock Slammers (MJAHL)

10 (12). Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL)

11 (8). Oakville Blades (OJAHL)

12 (11). Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL)

13 (14). Flin Foln Bombers (SJHL)

14 (15). Abitibi Eskimos (NOJHL)

15 (16). Ft. William North Stars (SIJHL)

16 (13). Ft. Mcmurray Oil Barons (AJHL)

17 (HM). Westside Warriors (BCHL)

18 (HM). Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)

19 (19). Burlington Cougars (CCHL)

20 (20). Le College Francais de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ)


Honorable Mentions

Surrey Eagles (BCHL)

Olds Grizzlies (AJHL)

Dryden Ice Dogs (SIJHL)

Newmarket Hurricanes (CCHL)

Les Cobras de Terrebonne (LHJAAAQ)


League Codes

The Number in Brackets is the number of teams in the Rankings. This does include the Honorable Mentions.

British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) (5)

Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) (4)

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) (2)

Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) (1)

Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) (2)

Ontario Junior A Hockey League (OJAHL) (3)

Central Canadien Hockey League (CCHL) (2)

Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) (1)

Central Junior A Hockey League (CJAHL) (2)

Quebec Junior A Hockey League (LHJAAAQ) (2)

Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MJAHL) (1)


NCAA

After Miami of Ohio were cutting it close with the #1 ranking, they are back up by getting 36 of the 50 first place votes which got them to the lead. However, The University of Denver having a 2 point lead in the WCHA over in state rival Colorado College has them up to #2 in the national rankings. Despite having a 1-1 week and a loss in OT to Minn.-Duluth, the Fighting Sioux still have the #3 ranking.

But a surging Bemidji State Team who is #4 and with having a huge win over Miami of Ohio in the Holiday Classic over Thanksgiving weekend, they have convinced a lot of people, including my self that they are for real and a serious contender for the National Title this season.

Cornell who despite being 2nd in the ECAC is up to #5 after Quinnipiac suffered their first Conference Losses of the season over Brown and Yale who moved up to 4th in the ECAC. This week, Yale, Mass.-Lowell and Boston College who moved up 5 spots from #15 to #10 this week.

Just outside the top 10, Wisconsin and Ferris State made some big moves up 4 and 5 spots to #11 and #13 after strong weeks this week. As for the big fallers this week, U-Mass has dropped 6 spots from #9 to #15 while Alaska has dropped 4 spots from #12 to #16 this week after a brutal week with a loss and tie to Western Michigan. I

n all, Alaska is winless in 5 of its last 6 games. We also have 2 new teams this week as New Hampshire and Union have jumped into the rankings at #19 and #20 this week.

1 (1). Miami of Ohio (CCHA) (36) (11-2-5) 977 PTS

2 (2). Denver (WCHA) (11) (10-4-2) 956 PTS

3 (3). North Dakota (WCHA) (9-5-2) 860 PTS

4 (5). Bemidji State (CHA) (2) (13-2-1) 843 PTS

5 (7). Cornell (ECAC) (1) (7-2-2) 756 PTS

6 (6). Colorado College (WCHA) (10-4-2) 726 PTS

7 (4). Quinnipiac (ECAC) (12-3-0) 635 PTS

8 (10). Yale (ECAC) (7-3-2) 606 PTS

9 (8). Mass.-Lowell (Hockey East) (9-5-1) 578 PTS

10 (15). Boston College (Hockey East) (8-3-2) 542 PTS

11 (16). Wisconsin (WCHA) (10-5-1) 489 PTS

12 (12). Minn.-Duluth (WCHA) (10-5-1) 438 PTS

13 (17). Ferris State (CCHA) (11-3-2) 419 PTS

14 (11). Michigan State (CCHA) (10-6-2) 399 PTS

15 (9). U-Mass (Hockey East) (9-5-0) 383 PTS

16 (12). Alaska (CCHA) (8-4-4) 233 PTS

17 (20). St. Cloud State (WCHA) (8-6-2) 194 PTS

18 (14). Norte Dame (CCHA) (7-7-4) 127 PTS

19 (NR). New Hampshire (Hockey East) (7-6-3) 112 PTS

20 (NR). Union (ECAC) (7-3-5) 79 PTS


Others Getting Votes: Vermont 47 PTS, Michigan 30 PTS, RIT 27 PTS, Nebraska-Omaha 17 PTS, Northern Michigan 10 PTS, Maine 8 PTS, Colgate 7 PTS, Air Force Academy 2 PTS

Conference Code

Atlantic Hockey (Atlantic Hockey) (0)

Central Collegeaite Hockey Assiocation (CCHA) (5)

College Hockey America (CHA) (1)

East Coast Atheltic Conference (ECAC) (4)

Hockey East (Hockey East) (4)

West Collegeaite Hockey Assioaction (WCHA) (6)

Canadaien Jr. A Leagues Opening Weekend: Atlantic Region

The Atlantic Region of the Canadian Jr. A leagues is made up of Eastern Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime region which is made up of teams from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. With the start of the season around the corner, here's a look at the divisions plus the opening schedule from all 3 leagues.

In this region the Summerside Western Capitals are defending regional champions before disappointing at the RBC Cup where they only won 1 game and came in last during the Group Stage. Other teams like the Truro Bearcats and the Eastern Ontario Champions Pembrooke Lumber Kings looking to get back to the RBC Cup Tournament.


For the more info on Jr. A Hockey all across Canada: www.cjhlhockey.com

Here's the Division alignment and the opening weekend schedules

Central Junior A. Hockey League Website: http://cjhl.pucksystems2.com

CJAHL Schedule: http://centrajuniora.stats.pointstreak.com/leagueschedule.html?leagueid=349&seasonid=4401

Central Junior A. Hockey League (CJAHL)

Yzermen Division
Cumberland Grads
Gloucester Rangers
Kanata Stallions
Nepean Raiders
Ottawa Jr. Senators
Pembrooke Lumber Kings

Robinson Division
Brockville Braves
Carleton Place Canadians
Cornwell Colts
Hawkesbury Hawks
Kemptville 73s
Smiths Falls Bears

Opening Weekend Schedule

September 11

Kanata Stallions VS. Hawkesbury Hawks

Pembrooke Lumber Kings VS. Cornwall Colts

Nepean Raiders VS. Carleton Place Canadians

Ottawa Jr. Senators VS. Smiths Falls Bears

September 12

Gloucester Rangers VS. Kemptville 73s

Cumberland Grads VS. Brockville Braves

Hawkesbury Hawks VS. Pembrooke Lumber Kings

Cornwall Colts VS. Kanata Stallions

September 13

Carleton Place Canadaians VS. Ottawa Jr. Senators

Smiths Falls Bears VS. Nepean Raiders

Kemptille 73s VS. Cumberland Grads

Brockville Braves VS. Gloucester Rangers

Maritime Junior A Hockey League (MJAHL)

The Maritime Junior A Hockey League has 11 teams in it with one division making up of teams from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Regular season play will start up on September 10, while for the defending champions Summerside Western Capitals will start up on September 13 against the Dieppe Commandos while Truro Bearcats will start up the previous night against at home against the Weeks Crushers.

In addition, the Maritime Junior A Hockey League will host the 2009 World Jr. A Challenge in Summerside, P.E.I. from November 1-9 which will have 6 teams. 2 repersenting Canada and also the U.S.A., Russia, Germany and Belarus in this year's tournament.

For more info the World Jr. A Challenge: www.cjhlhockey.com/world_junior_a_challenge.html

Group A
Belarus
Canada West
Russia

Group B
Canada East
Germany
U.S.A.

Maritime Junior A Hockey League Website: www.mjahl.com

Maritime Junior A Hockey League Schedule: www.mjahl.com/stats_schedule.php

Maurice Bent Division (Nova Scotia)
Amherst Ramblers
Bridgewater Lumberjacks
Halifax Lions
Truro Bearcats
Weeks Crushers
Yarmouth Jr. A Ramblers

Roger Meek Division (New Brunswick and P.E.I.)
Campbellton Tigers
Dieppe Commandos
Miramichi Timber wolves
Summerside Western Capitals
Woodstock Slammers

Here's the opening weekend schedule which starts up on September 10.

September 10

Miramichi Timberwolves VS. Dieppe Commandos

Campbellton Tigers VS. Weeks Crushers

September 11

No Games Scheduled

September 12

Yarmouth Jr. A Ramblers VS. Amherst Ramblers

Miramichi Timberwolves VS. Campbellton Tigers

Weeks Crushers VS. Truro Bearcats

September 13

Dieppe Commandos VS. Summerside Western Capitals

Amherst Ramblers VS. Bridgewater Lumberjacks

Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League (LHJAAAQ)

For the Quebec league, the Sherbrooke Cougars are the defending champions are going into the league with a new look as most of their players have left by either going to college or aging out of the junior leagues. Also, they will be one fewer team as the divisions format into 3 divisions, 2 with 5 teams and 1 with 4 as they are named after the different equipment sponsors.

Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League Website: www.lhjaaaq.qc.ca

Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League 2009-2010 Schedule: www.lhjaaaq.qc.ca/cal_2009_en.html

Sherwood Division
Kahnawake Condos
Longueuil
Vaudreuil-Dorion
Lachine
Valleyfield

S.W.D. Division
Laval
St. Jerome
Joliette
Terrebonne
St. Agathe

Guilbeault Division
Thetford
Sherbrooke
Princeville
Granby

Here's the opening weekend of the season which starts up on September 4.

September 4

Princeville VS. Sherbrooke

Laval VS. Granby

September 5

Lachine VS. Terrebonne

Valleyfield VS. Joliette

St. Jerome VS. Vaudreuil-Dorion

Sherbrooke VS. Thetford

September 6

Princeville VS. Granby

Kahnawake VS. Laval

Longueuil VS. St. Agathe

Saskatchewan and Manitoba Junior Hockey League opening weekend

With the Canadian Junior A leagues among the first leagues in North America to start their seasons. We are posting the league websites and the schedule for the opening weekend for the different junior A leagues across Canada. Last time I posted the schedules for the British Colombia and Alberta Jr. A leagues.

Today, the leagues I'm doing are the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), like B.C. and Alberta, Manitoba will start the season on September 11, while the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League will start up a week later on September 18.

In the SJHL, the Humboldt Broncos are the 3 time defending champions and also made it all the way to the RBC Cup Final before losing to the Vernon Vipers of the BCHL. For the MJHL, the Portage Terriers are the back to back MJHL Champions and lost to the Humboldt Broncos in the Western Region Championship. Also the 2010 RBC Cup Tournament will be hosted the Dauphin Kings which will run from May 1-9 at the Credit Union Place.

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL)

For more info: log on to Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League: www.sjhl.ca

Itech Conference (North)
Battlefords North Stars
Flin Foln Bombers
Humboldt Broncos
La Ronge Ice Wolves
Melfort Mustangs
Nipawin Hawks

Sherwood Conference (South)
Estevan Bruins
Kindersley Klippers
Melville Millionaires
Norte Dame Hounds
Weyburn Red Wings
Yorkton Terriers

Here's the opening weekend schedule for the season which begins on September 18. The Regular Season starts up on September 18 and will end on February 23.

September Schedule www.sjhl.ca/page.aspx?page_id=384

October Schedule: www.sjhl.ca/page.aspx?page_id=385

November Schedule: www.sjhl.ca/page.aspx?page_id=386

December Schedule: www.sjhl.ca/page.aspx?page_id=388

January Schedule: www.sjhl.ca/page.aspx?page_id=389

February Schedule: www.sjhl.ca/page.aspx?page_id=391

September 18

Battlefords North Stars VS. Kindersley Klippers

Estevan Bruins VS. Melville Millionaires

Weyburn Red Wings VS. Yorkton Terriers

Flin Foln Bombers VS. Melfort Mustangs

La Ronge Ice Wolves VS. Nipawin Hawks

Norte Dame Hounds VS. Humboldt Broncos

September 19

Nipawin Hawks VS. La Ronge Ice Wolves

Melville Millonaires VS. Estevan Bruins

Yorkton Terriers VS. Weyburn Red Wings

Melfort Mustangs VS. Flin Foln Bombers

Kindersley Klippers VS. Battlefords North Stars

Humboldt Broncos VS. Norte Dame Hounds

Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL)

For more info on the Manitoba Junior Hockey League: www.mjhlhockey.ca

Addison Division (East)
Selkirk Steelers
Steinbach Pistons
Winkler Flyers
Winnipeg Saints
Winnipeg South Blues

Sherwood Division (West)
Dauphin Kings
Neepawa Natives
OCN Blizzard
Portage Terriers
Swan Valley Stampaders
Waywayseecappo Wolverines

The Regular season schedule will begin on September 11 and will end on February 21.

September Schedule: www.mjhlhockey.ca/scheduleseason.aspx?sched_month=9&sched_year=2009

October Schedule: www.mjhlhockey.ca/scheduleseason.aspx?sched_month=10&sched_year=2009

November Schedule: www.mjhlhockey.ca/scheduleseason.aspx?sched_month=11&sched_year=2009

December Schedule: www.mjhlhockey.ca/scheduleseason.aspx?sched_month=12&sched_year=2009

January Schedule: www.mjhlhockey.ca/scheduleseason.aspx?sched_month=1&sched_year=2010

February Schedule: www.mjhlhockey.ca/scheduleseason.aspx?sched_month=2&sched_year=2010

Opening Weekend Schedule

September 11

Winnipeg South Blues VS. OCN Blizzard

Dauphin Kings VS. Winnipeg Saints

September 12

Winnipeg South Blues VS. OCN Blizzard

Dauphin Kings VS. Selkirk Steelers

Waywayseecappo Wolverines VS. Swan Valley Stampaders

Winkler Flyers VS. Winnipeg Steelers

September 13

Dauphin Kings VS. Steinbach Pistions