Humboldt enjoying post-tragedy success, enters Top-20 rankings

The Humboldt Broncos are back. In the feel-good story of this week’s Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings, the Saskatchewan league team moved into the Top-20 list at No. 14.

The Broncos are off to a 6-2 start after the tragic bus crash that ended their 2017-18 season.

The Nipawin Hawks, also of the SJHL, remained No. 1 out of 133 CJHL teams after starting 6-0.

The Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario league stayed second and are also perfect at 7-0.

Waywayseecappo Wolverines of the Manitoba league moved up four spots to No. 3, Yarmouth Mariners (Maritime league) jumped 11 spots to No. 4, and the Thunder Bay North Stars (Superior International league) surged to No. 5 after previously being unranked.

The Chilliwack Chiefs are the only B.C. Hockey League team ranked at No. 17, while the Prince George Spruce Kings earned an honourable mention.

RBC Cup hosts Brooks Bandits of the Alberta league moved into the rankings at No. 13.

The Penticton Vees, who were No. 1 in the preseason rankings before starting the season at 2-3-0, are back above .500 at 4-3-0 after beating Merritt and Alberni Valley on the weekend.

The Vees have a big weekend ahead as they face arch-rivals Vernon Vipers for the first time this season, with the teams meeting Friday at 7 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre and Saturday at 6 p.m. at Kal Tire Place in Vernon.

The Vees, Vernon (3-3-2) and Salmon Arm Silverbacks (4-4-0) are tied for fifth in the Interior Division standings.

However, only two points separate first from last in the division. Merritt, Wenatchee and West Kelowna are tied for top spot with identical 5-4-0 records. Trail is fourth at 4-3-1.