WEHP are proud to announce the weekly top 10 team rankings this morning. The rankings aren't about who has been hot lately but who has been the most consistent through-out the season.
1. BWC Bruins (16-1-2 90-21) - Their perfect league and tiering record recently came to an end with a 5-3 loss to the red hot Cloverdale Colts this week. Prior to that, they were nearly perfect which included just one loss in the final to NSWC in the Chilliwack tournament. Huge tournament wins in Medicine Hat and the recent Los Angeles tournament earn them top spot still heading in to St. Albert.
2. NSWC Winter Hawks (15-3-1 99-27) - They have lost a total of 6 games this year which included in that is a Medicine Hat finale loss against BWC. The losses they have received this year have come against BWC twice and Semiahmoo three times and to Cloverdale in the Burnaby Christmas Tournament final.
3. POE (7-1-1 63-19) - It is easy to be a bit down on POE after not making a finals appearance so far this year. One has to remember that BWC have knocked out POE in both the Chilliwack and Medicine Hat tournaments from contention. They had a disappointing loss in Victoria to Seafair and in Los Angeles were knocked out by a tough Los Angeles Selects team. The losses have been very few and still have to be considered one of the favourites in St. Albert.
4. Cloverdale Colts (12-6-1 103-59) - Although the Colts have been a bit sub-par in league play and tiering, they have definitely gotten healthy and are starting to climb the rankings and show their true colours. They rolled through the recent Burnaby Christmas Tournament and have served notice to the top 3 teams that they can knock any of them off - although they have yet to beat POE.
5. SSAC Southgate Lions (19-2-2 138- 64) - The most consistent team in the AMBHL this year have yet to show quiet enough to break in to the top 4. In Medicine Hat, they were a bit hot and cold in that they lost to POE and NSWC but won a few games as well. In the ultra competitive North of the AMBHL, they have 1 loss in their past 22 games.
6. Semiahmoo Ravens (13-3-2 85-36) - Strong league play hasn't necessarily translated in to strong tournament play this season. In Medicine Hat they lost both playoff round games, in Chilliwack they lost 7-0 in the semi-final vs. NSWC and in Burnaby they once again lost to NSWC 2-1 in the semi-finals. Until they can prove strong and make a tournament final, they will not warrant a higher ranking. However, they are able to beat any of the above teams and could be a scary team in St. Albert as well.
7. Lloydminster Heat (19-4-1 123-51) - A very well rounded team with a big, strong, talented defence, capable goaltending and the league's top goal scorer - Andrew Koep. They have big tournament experience now, having participated in Medicine Hat to which they can chalk up as a learning experience for the St. Albert tournament.
8. Sherwood Park (18-3-3 111-61) - With just 1 league loss in their past 17 games, the Flyers enter St. Albert on quite a roll. They have perhaps the top defence in western Canada next to POE and will use depth and that defence to perhaps surprise a few of the top teams in St. Albert next week.
9. Calgary Royals (17-2-3 91-42) - It is truely remarkable how stingy the Royals have been all season long and it doesn't seem as though that will let up. Had a bit of an up and down tournament in Medicine Hat against some of the other top teams but still remain a team who could shut you down and win a tournament or make things tough.
10. St. Albert Sabres (15-4-5 97-62) - Have been on quite the roll since November and have consistently been climbing the rankings. Wins against Lloydminster, CAC and other competitive games against some tough competition make them a team to watch down the stretch.
Honourable Mentions:
Balgonie Prairie Storm
Brandon Wheat Kings
OHA
Seafair Islanders
Calgary Bisons
59 comments:
put the top 5 western us teams
Games that are 3 20 minute periods are real hockey.
Credit goes to AMBHL who get it right, with the schedule and playoff structure.
PCAHA 3 15 minute periods and the sportsmanship point is crazy.
Like to see the PCAHAplay best of 5 and 3 20 minute periods for playoffs.
(10:28)- Yeas - agree
Their is one association in PCAHL that is not even that it was 15-15-8 and no one got hurt. The boys played in a 1 hr time slot.
Colts would beat any on this list in a best of 5
I think it would be interesting to have you rank the top ten SK teams as a separate list.
(1:20 Posts)
I think it would be interesting to have you rank the top ten SK teams as a separate list.
What is your list of the top 10 Saskatchewan "AA" teams?
Colts have to be the heavy favorite for St Albert to win it all.
Sherwood Park didn't impress in Penticton tourney, giving up 4+ goals to powerhouses Camrose and Lethbridge - am surprised to see them ahead of Royals, OHA, Seafair (teams that have actually won something!)Some nice players but look for them to be driving back down the Yellowhead from St Albert early
That's where I like to see the Cloverdale Colts Ranked. You've seen them play GREAT games lately. Beating BWC, NSWC, and killed Seafair twice in the Burnaby Christmas Tournament. They have really shown lately that they are one of the top Teams to beat for sure. I think they could be Top 5 or 6 going into the St. Albert Tournament. They deserve to be at the top of the Rankings.
There has not been one of the teams listed that have consistantly developed thru the first half of the season with the exception of OHA, record speaks for itself, kelowna tourament win, OEHA Penticton win, record 34-3-4, jeez you would think that with a record like this that they would fit somewhere between 4-7, it funny even when you have a successful league play ad a successfull tournament record you get just a honourable mention, this team should have been in the hat and for sure should have bee in the st.albert tournament, not sure how those politics work,
If you did a top ten in Sask. AA, you would have to list almost all of the teams. Maybe a top 5 would be better and then maybe teams might have something to strive for. I still insist that the top AAA teams are far superior to most , if not all Sask. AA teams. I guess we will find out this weekend with the Monarchs playing NE and Prairie Storm. I am not saying the Monarchs are a top AAA team, but they should give a measuring stick of sorts for the 2 Sask. teams. Every team in St. Albert should be better than the Monarchs. Any comments.
really?? OHA has won two weak tournaments. A final against Kamloops or Kelowna is not elite level hockey. You have two Elite players and then its average from there with good coaching...
Watched POE play Kamloops friday 1-1 after two ended 4-1 POE. They looked out of sync for the most part of the game.
OHA will have to beat one of the top 5 (all BC teams) to claw into this top 10 - they've come close 3 times. vs POE next weekend
What where the shots in Poe vs kam. Game , who had puck most of the game ?
poe had territorial advantage in kamloops game. Was 2 to 1 with 5 min left. Finlay woke up with gaol and assist to make it 4 to 1. poe is out of sync for sure. Kamloops Davis and winters played very well.
My Sask top 10:
1) Prairie Storm
2) North East
3) Weyburn
4) Sask Valley
5) Melville
Then the next 5 are tough to pick because there is a group that includes Yorkton and West Central and all of the Saskatoon teams, all of which are pretty much interchangeable.
looks like melville better get on the honrable mention here right away. also looks like people were wrong with the north east wolfpack having the best depth. Its melville time
OHA didn't just win those two events they dominated them. In the same week OHA defeats Kamloops 7-0, POE is 2-1 with Kamloops with 5 mins left. POE will have their hand full next weekend. First place in OMAHA will be on the line.
Melville should be higher on the top sask. teams list. They have tied north east and bear prairie storm. My list would go:
1.Prairie Storm
2.North East
3.Melville
4.Weyburn
5.Sask Valley
NOrth East depth, Melville depth, Balgonie depth, who cares. Its still AA hockey. Give honorable mentions to all of them, but they arent AAA. Winnipeg Monarchs are a middle of the pack Winnipeg team. Top Winnipeg teams can't compete with the POE's or BWC's or NSWC's or the Cloverdales, SSAC, Royals, etc. Lets see how Prairie Storm does against the Monarchs today after Prairie Storms loss yesterday to Melville. The difference between Sask. and the other provinces is that half the Sak. teams are weak, so players get inflated stats. Even the poor Alberta and BC teams would be good Saskatchewan teams.
January 7, 2012 10:44 PM
Have to agree with you on this one. Prairie Storm is exciting to watch because of one player, but Melville and even Weyburn are becoming just as exciting because of the depth of developing talent. I saw both Weyburn and Melville play at the beginning of the season and they have progressed by leaps and bounds over every other team in the south division. Another team that has amazed me is Yorkton, not by talent but by determination. Their goal tending is strong and makes up for their weak defense and lack of offensive talent. Yorkton could have trouble come playoffs though.
comment about weak tournaments makes no sense for OHA, not only has the team played well in there own league but they had a great tourney in chilliwack played well against semi and the had exceptional tournament and played which is likely the third best team in the province in the coltsand controled most of the play lost 8-4, played POE and lost at the early part of the season and then dominatd them with puckcontrol and lostwith a empty net goal late in the third for a 6-4 loss, not only do the have a top forward in Morrison and a top 3 defensemen in Reagan they have 15 other top players that any team would utilize in any situation, this is a very competitive team and will need to be watched as the last half of the season progresses, Didn,t Kamloops give BWC a run for there money in chilliwack, kelowna is strong when they are not in the penalty box, kamloops beat a good lethbridge team that beat a really good sherwood park team in penticton, if you thought that the Penticton tourney wasn,t srong enough then you should have entered your team, seems the top teams dont want to play the academys for what ever reason, it will be a interesting second half
The Millionaires beat the Prairie Storm team yesterday 6-5 at the Pilot Butte Arena. A great crowd and house full of scouts and recruiters in attendance which was awesome to see for both teams.
Looks like the 1998 Players are the elite in Alberta...way to go underage boys keep up the good work!
Looks like the underage 1998 Players are the ELITE in ALBERTA.
AA-AAA Bantam Hockey Leagues:
Demographics, zones, populations, and Higher Powers control the leagues in the prairie provinces.
The Hockey Academies are realitically World teams with no restrictions! Like Team Canada playing in NHL.
Maybe there should be a Western Canadian AAA League:
Saskatchewan North Team
Saskatchewan South Team
Manitoba North Team
Manitoba South Team
BC North
BC South
Alberta North
Alberta South
Lets remember that 1% of all players make a living long-term playing hockey so not sure if AA-AAA etc. really matters in the big picture for your AAA or AA badge on your jacket.
What are sportsmanship points. How do they work.
"the top teams dont want to play the academies" your dreaming ! OHA does not have the firepower to score on BWC or NSWC nor the defense to stop Cloverdale or Semi. There is a reason OHA is not in the St. Albert tourney and it has nothing to do with politics.
let see POE beats kamloops 41 with to really late goals, is down 3-1 to vernon that are beat up at this point in the season with a couple players out and one that has moved on to OHA, they did win tho 8-3 and then watched a kelowna team take it to POE at the SOEC and Poe wins 4-2 but kelowna give them more than they hoped for, I think POE was a very good team early and now everybody is catching them, it will be interestin to watch OHA play them next weekend, I think there will be some different views of teams and players next week after there games on the weekend.
Are you kidding me the Pembina Valley Bantam AAA Hawks have beat Brandon and the Winnipeg teams. They have tried to get into your Alberta tourneys were were not allowed. How can a team with a record of 28-5-1 not be your choice out of Manitoba. Nothing else is close.
if your comments about dreaming are of any thing more that a comment, then we should put together a tournament, OHA/POE/BWC/NSWC/Semi/Cloverdale this would put the teams that are there and the ones that should be there in the same rink, it would be a great tournament, dont think there would be any surprises for sure, maybe thro in kamloops and Kelowna considering they were a top pick in the province and now maybe abbottsford and Seafair considering they have beaten some top teams as well,
Weyburn has beaten Ft Sask AAA 4-1, Winnipeg Sharks AAA 4-0, tied Lethbridge AAA 4-4 and beaten Vernon AAA 8-2. They have lost one AAA game all year and that was a 1-0 loss to Lethbridge in their second game of the day when Lethbridge was fresh. Yorkton has beaten Weyburn 3 times, Northeast has tied the Monarchs, so that is Sask teams being 5-1-0-2 against AAA teams. Weyburn and Northeast have split. PA tied Northeast, but Weyburn beat PA 11-1. Yorkton has tied Prairie Storm. Weyburn outgunned Melville 8-5 and Melville beat Prairie Storm. The main argument is that Weyburn and Northeast are great against AAA, but can beaten in Sask. Nobody knows if SBAAHL is better without head to head and it looks like a 5-1-0-2 record by the SBAAHL against AAA teams gets them into the hunt and has the league in the thick of things in rankings. A province of 1000000 split into 18 teams should not be able to go 5-1-0-2 against huge populations unless they have some good teams and right now Prairie Storm, Northeast, Weyburn, Yorkton, Melville are all solid teams despite limited populations and numbers. Weyburn had 25 kids at their camp and Melville had less than 30.
Can someone tell me who Kamloops has beat that would be in the top ten in BC? We all know the top 5 BC teams but who are the next 5? From what Ive watch the teams I would pick and this is not in order would be Seafair, OHA, Victoria, Abbotsford, and maybe Kamloops or Mission? Any thoughts?
now we are making sense, form a league were the proposed top players are able to go and play, north south in each province what a thought,
The 98s in Alberta are superb. White steel steenburgen taupert benson clague quenneville
TOURNAMENTS-Weyburn and Melville were not accepted by Hockey Regina for their November 11-13, 2011 tournament this year. Hockey is suppose to be about the kids and working together to develop players and or so called AA neighbors. This was totally OFF-SIDE or maybe purposely planned. Mike Rooney and Jeff Cole have been developing players within and abroad various jurisdictions for a decade and why close the door on their teams this year?
January 9 10:02
There is such a tournament. It is called the John Reid Memorial in St. Albert and all those teams will be in attendance - with the exception of OHA who I do not believe applied for it.
Sportsmanship points are in the PCAHA . In Bantam if you receive 16 minutes in pm or less, with no majors the team receives 1 point .
Most of the teams play 3 15 minute periods Seafair has had games that are 15 15 and 10 at home.
Cloverdale plays 3 15 minute periods at home.
i think my list would be:
1) Melville
2) prarie storm
3) Northeast
4) Sask Valley
5) Weyburn
Melville has 3 top guys cole, boutin, nuels who will go higher than northeast's top 3 guys seaman,paziuk,fiske so that puts them higher all they need is a goalie!! Melville should also be higher than prarie storm because they have better depth. Halbegwachs cant do it all.
P Storm tied Monarchs, so did Northeast. Weyburn beat Ft Sask, Vernon, Winnipeg sharks and tied Lethbridge. They lost by one goal to Lethbridge in final. That is 7 games and only one loss against AAA teams for SBAAHL teams. Obviously the Sask top team can compete and be respectable in the three other provinces. Top ranked? no, but easily 500 or better. Who knows about the top teams. Head to head says SBAAHL is stronge than your weak teams, which puts it middle of the pack at worst.
If you take an analytical look at the tournaments involving cross border play the top ten should probably be all BC.
BC teams romped in Med Hat 12-0 in Round Robin and 3-1 in QFs. Total 15-1 for a 94% winning percentage.
AMBHL teams have not faired very well at all in the other tourneys vs BC Clubs. The top 6 PCAHA and the two Academies have dominated these games.
Based on games to date St A will be completely dominated by BC.
The St Albert tournament line up looks awesome, it should be great. All the heavy hitters are there and in mid season form.
Can you post the lineup again and maybe poll who will win... other than the scouts.
I have not seen any of the sask games and do not know anymore than the reports that I see, but what a thought that the parents and players actually send there kids to tryouts that make sense for there players, unlike the cash grabs in alta and bc were there are 150 kids trying out for a triple A team and 250 from cuts from triple A to try out for Double A, at least sask has done that part of there hockey correctly numbers or not, maybe they should have teams in the triple A groups in western canada so they can say they are competing as well, be surprised I know some of the players and they would fit in on any triple A team west, jeez wasn,t that defense man at POE a sask player, he likely is a 5-7 defenseman anywhere, Im sure there are more that would jump at a free chance to play
I am a little confused why people feel there is a need to rank teams at all. The only rankings that really matter in the long run are what the scouts think of individual players. It's not like they are going to draft a player because they play on a #1 ranked team. It's alot of apple to oranges comparisons anyway. Let's just say there are alot of good teams out there. Who care's who the top team is right now. Leave that for the Western Canadian playoff.
Just a question as to why POE is still in the top ten?
We know what potential POE has on paper but it seems this team cannot produce and make it to the top of the podium
I feel Cloverdale will be the threat in the PCAHA tier 1 grouping , they had a slow injury plagued start and now seem to get stronger every game.
Seafair currently #1 in tier 1 in the PCAHA standings? Wow!
NSWC and BWC tid or 3rd? wt? we should weekly update the standings on this blog so eveyone knows and the top teams can produce the excuses
Very impressive for this small association, Is Seafair considered a private club? (their roster shows seven 98's on the team)
Prairie Storm vs Monarchs was a tie on the scoreboard but Monarchs goalie held them in.
Several AMBHL teams travelled to BC to play lesser tournaments against unheralded BC Teams without having much success at all. The AMBHL is just not as strong this year. The 98s seem to be the main story in Alberta so maybe next year. The top 97s are playing in BC. The first two rounds will be BC dominant.It's been this way for several years in this age group and that trend hasn't changed this year.
For St Albert, I think any of 5 teams can take it - BWC, Clov, LA Selects, NSWC and POE in that order.
I don't fault the JR tourney organizers - how could they know that there would be such regional differences when they picked the teams in November?
Seafair and OHA should be there on merit but their success is more recent - besides, try holding a tournament and stacking the schedule with a bunch of elite teams from away - not too popular with the locals!!!!!
Ya I agree 100% that Melville should be rated number 1 in sask. Who agrees?
POE is ranked where they are because they are 38 and 4.No other team has a better record,period.They will be number 1 after St albert.
Cloverdale will be favorite to win their pool.
98s dominate in Alberta
Seafair questions answered ...
Lots of comments about short games... Their home ice is a 1.5 hr slot, which usually makes for 15, 15 and 15-20. When they need to play games on practice slots because of coflicts, only 1.25 hr slots are available. Not ideal but not planned... With Seafair, Richmond Minor and Richmond Girls using the same facility game slots are hard to come by.
PCAHA standings can be misleading because of the sportsmanship points. Seafair takes few penalties which not only gives them the points but keeps them off the PK. All told they need to be at our best to compete with the big 4, which they have been in league play and at Lapointe. At the Burnaby Xmas it wasn't quite there and it showed in the games vs NSWC and Cloverdale.
Al told a pleasantly surprising year to date. Someone asked about the association... it is not private, and until recently was the small association in Richmond. Now both are around 600 members apiece, not sure if that is big or small but at Bantam we have no B team and only 2 house teams to draw from. There were only 27 kids who tried out for this team, making what they have done so far pretty impressive.
I love how it is somehow the Regina tournament's fault that Melville and Weyburn didn't submit their deposits for the tournament, and were left out as a result.
38-4 POE what happened to there losse were they given away free, who else has the stats for the omaha, obviously this person doesnt have the ones from this year, no tournament wins, no better record than OHA, skilled yes, being caught up to absolutely,
its important to get your information correct, losses are losses they don,t go away and everybody knows about them
There are also two 98 at Poe from Alberta , jost and mcdonald , both would be top players along with the rest of 98
There were teams in the Regina tournament who submitted their application and deposit later than Weyburn and Melville and that came right from a committee member. I don't think either team cares because Melville won a better tournament in Swift with AAA teams and Weyburn went to the final in Lethbridge AAA tournament instead of playing a lower level tourney like Regina.
You really think Melville went to a better tournament in Swift than the Regina tourney? Maybe rethink that statement.
The Regina tournament was huge, but weak. There were SBAAHL teams that had less than .100 winning percentages that we at or near the top of their pools. Melville and Weyburn would have rolled through that tourney along with Prairie Storm and Melville. Instead Melville challenged themselves against a field in Swift Current that included a AAA team in the final and Weyburn was undefeated in a AAA tourney in Lethbridge. The only people that suffered by Weyburn and Melville not getting into Regina were the other teams in the tourney who missed out on having two stronger teams there. Believe it or not but in some tourneys they actually want the strongest teams possible.
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