SJHL Power Rankings

The SJHL Power Rankings are decided each and every week by a group of SJHL broadcasters and will be released each Tuesday.

1. Flin Flon Bombers 28-1-2-0 (Last Week 1st):

The Flin Flon Bombers will head into the holiday break not only as the top team in the SJHL but the top team in the CJHL (according to Top 20 rankings). Flin Flon swept their weekend series with the La Ronge Ice Wolves, allowing just one goal in two games and improving their record to 28-1-2-0. Flin Flon returns from the holiday break on January 5th when they host the Nipawin Hawks.

2. Battlefords North Stars 22-7-2-1 (Last Week 4th):

It was a big week for the defending Canterra Seeds Cup champion Battlefords North Stars. They earned a trio of victories this past week and moved into a tie for 2nd in the SJHL standings with the Melfort Mustangs. Kian Bell, Brad Blake, and Rylan Williams had big weeks for the Stars and as a result earned league awards this week. The Stars are back on the ice January 6th in Estevan against the Bruins.

3. Melfort Mustangs 22-9-3-0 (Last Week 2nd):

Melfort’s winning streak ended at six games Friday night with an overtime loss to the Nipawin Hawks, but they did bounce back the following night. This secured three out of a possible four points. Clay Sleeva has fit in like a glove with his new team playing on the Mustangs’ number one line with Zac Somers. The Mustangs will be back at it on Friday, January 5th when they travel to La Ronge for a meeting with the Ice Wolves.

4. Humboldt Broncos 20-7-2-1 (Last Week 3rd):

After a tough loss at home to the Weyburn Red Wings, the Humboldt Broncos made sure to close out the unofficial first half of the season on a winning note as they picked up a 5-2 victory over Notre Dame. Spencer Bell had another great week for the Broncos and earned Saskatchewan Player of the Week for the final week of the unofficial first half of the season. Humboldt returns to the ice on January 5th when they visit the Yorkton Terriers.

5. Nipawin Hawks 15-15-0-2 (Last Week 6th):

There are many teams in the SJHL this season who have struggled with consistency and the Nipawin Hawks are one of them. They had a great performance Friday winning 5-4 in overtime in Melfort, but then dropped a 4-1 decision at home. .500 after 32 games isn’t where the Hawks thought they would be at this point of the season, but they do enter post-holiday play in 5th place. Nipawin returns to the ice Wednesday, January 3rd when they host the Kindersley Klippers.

6. Weyburn Red Wings 12-12-0-4 (Last Week 9th):

It was a big bounce back week for the Weyburn Red Wings to close out December. They held on for a 5-4 win on the road in Humboldt against the Broncos and then returned home to earn a 4-2 win over the Yorkton Terriers. The big four points move the Wings up the standings a few slots and are now within striking distance of both Kindersley and Nipawin. Weyburn returns from the break to host Estevan on January 5th.

7. Kindersley Klippers 13-15-2-2 (Last Week 8th):

The week started great for the Kindersley Klippers as they earned an impressive 5-0 win over the Notre Dame Hounds at home in their annual “Hooky for Hockey” game, but then they ran into the red hot Battlefords North Stars and were swept in their home and home. However, the Klippers enter the new year in a playoff spot which the team should be happy about. They will return to the ice on January 3rd when they visit Nipawin.

8. Estevan Bruins 13-14-0-2 (Last Week 5th):

Tough week for the Estevan Bruins as they dropped both of their games this past week to close out 2023. They fell Wednesday at home in their first meeting with Yorkton and then they dropped a 4-2 decision in Midale against the Notre Dame Hounds. Despite the up and down play, the Bruins are still right in the mix for a playoff spot. They will be back at it on January 5th in Weyburn against the Wings.

9. Melville Millionaires 13-13-0-0 (Last Week 9th):

There should be plenty of optimism in Melville for the start of the year for the Millionaires. They are .500 heading into the holiday break and are just two points back of a playoff spot despite playing the least amount of games in the league. What that means though is they will be busy in the final 3 months of the season. They will be one of the first clubs back on the ice as they return December 30th when they visit the Yorkton Terriers.

10. Yorkton Terriers 9-19-1-1 (Last Week 11th):

It was a 1-1 week for the Yorkton Terriers, but the team played well in both of their games against Viterra division teams and if they want to get back in the mix for a potential playoff spot they will have to continue playing like that following the holidays. They are currently 8 points back of the 8th and final playoff spot. A great chance for them though when they return to get back into the race as they begin their holiday home and home with the Melville Millionaires on December 30th at home.

11. La Ronge Ice Wolves 9-20-2-1 (Last Week 10th):

The Ice Wolves dropped both of their games to the Flin Flon Bombers to close out 2023. The Ice Wolves will enter the new year 7 points back of the 8th and final playoff spot, but the good news for the Wolves and their fans is they have plenty of games against teams in those 5-8 playoff spots who they are chasing in January. La Ronge will host Melfort on January 5th.

12. Notre Dame Hounds 8-23-1-0 (Last Week 12th):

Despite being last in the SJHL, the Notre Dame Hounds are just 9 points back of the 8th and final playoff spot with plenty of games at home in the 2nd half of the season. The Hounds went 1-3 in their four game in five night stretch to close out 2023. Notre Dame will return to the ice on Saturday, January 6th when they visit the Yorkton Terriers.

Source: SJHL.ca