SJHL POWER RANKINGS

As most people know, I'm no longer doing the SJHL website and therefore the SJHL Power Rankings will be done by Mitchell Blair.

However, I am still going to issue my own, from time to time, throughout the season.

Here is a preseason look based on nothing other than my own personal opinion.

1-Battlefords North Stars
They return a healthy mix of scoring, defense, and both goaltenders from a team that was pretty close to being championship calibre last season.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Colin Phaneuf (20 yr-old forward should help out with scoring) and Kyle Hall (former Estevan Bruin prospect impressed as an AP call-up with Bruins late last year)

2-Kindersley Klippers
Larry Wintoneak will need to make sure Josh Thorimbert is, adequately, replaced.  Otherwise, this is a very strong group coming back from last season.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Pearce Gourley (goal scoring forward from the Saskatoon Blazers) and Justin McDonald (rookie goalie from Beardy's).

3-Estevan Bruins
Karry Biette is loading up his team.  I like their offseason trades.  They, apparently, have a former NHL draft pick to go with Joel Danyluk in goal.  So they are as strong between the pipes as they've ever been.  Crucial year for this franchise as far as on ice success is concerned.  They need to start making some headway.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Troy Hunter (key component of trade with Dauphin Kings last year) and Ben Findlay (20 year old veteran acquired from La Ronge).

4-Humboldt Broncos
The Broncos are putting the puzzle pieces in place for the RBC year of 2012.  Make no mistake, they'll be plenty good this year too.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Matt Hrynkiw (bright prospect in goal that posted 2.56, .910 with Saskatoon Contacts) and Matt Glowa (destroyed the Keystone Junior Hockey League in Manitoba during the playoffs with 15-22-23-45 numbers).

5-Yorkton Terriers
This is where I will be called a homer.  Consensus around the league seems to be the Terriers won't be strong as they'll struggle to score and won't be nearly as airtight defensively.  I guess I simply disagree with that assessment.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Kyle McLeod (big scorer in the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League) and Robbie Ciolfi (WHL vets right were acquired at trade deadline last year and he's expected to play for the Terriers).

6-Flin Flon Bombers
Goaltending has to be a concern, but PJ Musico gives reason for optimism.  There appear to be a few more holes than usual since Mike Reagan took over, but that maybe only because nobody has heard of some of his roster.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Riley Storzuk (led Yorkton Harvest in scoring last year) and Jesse Mychan (flirted with the Bombers last year, but was ultimately ended up back at Midget AAA).

7-La Ronge Ice Wolves
Defending champs lose a lot of key guys (Dustin Stevenson, Danyluk, Mike Alexander, Findlay, Liam Brennan, Colton MacPherson) but still have that championship moxy and a few vets sprinkled throughout the roster, including key netminder Adam Bartko.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Skyler Hladun (played sparingly last year before finishing with Prince Albert Mintos) and Nathan Boyer (filled in during their magical playoff run when injuries struck up front).

8-Weyburn Red Wings
Water is wet, the sky is blue, and the Weyburn Red Wings always are in the mix for first place in the Sherwood Conference.  These things are a given in life.  However, replacing the likes of Bly, Wrigley, Penny, Perrault, Whiffen, and Erickson won't be easy.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Mitch Kilgore (netminder was eligible to play last year and showed tremendous patience waiting for something to break with 20 year olds Whiffen and Erickson) and Zane Weal (69-points at the Midget AAA level would make him an instant threat in the SJHL as a rookie).


9-Melfort Mustangs
Mustangs need to avoid their proverbial slow start.  You won't find many all-stars, but you will find a team that has a lot of depth.  The good news is that the Bauer Conference is wide open so they don't need many breaks to move up.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Brody Haygarth (picked up from Flin Flon as futures in the Deven Stillar trade) and Stefan Herrington (speed demon missed most of last year with an injury).

10-Melville Millionaires
The Mils badly needed stability in goal last year, so they traded last year's leading scorer to ensure they have it this year in Kyle Jahraus.  Should Zach Rakochy come back from the WHL, they figure to have one of the best tandems in the league.  But who will score?  Expect the Mils to build with an eye toward moving into their new arena in 2011. Potential newcomers to watch:  Andre Parker (the latest in the Parker family line to wear a Mils sweater will bring a mix of toughness and skill, but he's still just 17) and Roger Tagoona (led the Norman North Stars in Manitoba Midget AAA with 25-goals in 41-games).

11-Nipawin Hawks
Another new coach for the Hawks.  If Doug Johnson can bring stability to the franchise, they should be able to have some success.  The low ranking is based more on the unknown than it is on lack of talent.  There are no sure things in the Bauer, so Nipawin could surprise with Matthew Spafford leading the offense and a some stalwarts on the back end in Hodgins, Brkich, and Becker.  If they buy in, they'll be fun to watch.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Eli Lichtenwald (centreman was a top five scorer for Saskatoon Blazers) and Stephen Klein (still 17, but was impressive between the pipes for the Blazers last year).

12-Notre Dame Hounds
 The Hounds will need last year's youngsters to step up as the likes of Janke, Smith, Ireland, Williams, and Stevenson are gone.  Trevor Cameron should anchor the offense and goaltending is strong with Russell Abbott and Matthew Smidt.  Carson Grolla is intriguing on defense.  Potential newcomers to watch:  Paul Brisebois (steady defensive defenseman who played for the Telus Cup winning Hounds last season) and Catlin Foley (had 10-goals and 26-points in 35-games despite being a depth player on a very deep offensive team that won the Telus Cup).

After looking at this, I am now struggling putting Nipawin and Notre Dame down as 11th and 12th, but not sure who else can go there.  Fact remains, this league is going to be real strong AGAIN from 1st to last and two pretty good hockey clubs are going to miss the playoffs come next March.

You can see the SJHL live on Access 7 next Thursday night when Estevan plays at Melville to kick off the regular season.