The criteria that was used in rating these six leagues, was how do teams within the leagues compare when developing players who move on to the NHL, NCAA, USHL, NAHL, NCDC, and Canada Junior A, or Canadian University hockey programs. The size of the league as in number of teams was also taken into account for depth of player talent throughout the league. The level of promotion of commitments was also taken into account for this particular rating.
- GOJHL
The GOJHL is simply Junior A level with a Junior B label. This league is loaded with talent from the OHL draft, and they do a pretty good job at recruiting themselves. Great cities, great venues, and well funded organizations, make this Canada’s top Junior B league. And for the record, TJHN supports their efforts to get their Junior A label.
2. KIJHL
The KIJHL is doing incredible work over the last few years in regard to development and pushing players up to the BCHL, SJHL, MJHL and AJHL. They have brought their off ice efforts on behalf of players to a new level, and it is noticeable to everyone.
3. VIJHL
The VIJHL has some issues to deal with in player promotion, but a lot of that has to deal with their geography. The level of play is very good, and the coaching is solid. Visibility is simply not there and more attention needs to be paid to promotion of players.
4. HJHL
The Heritage Junior Hockey League has some good players and good people involved. They simply have no clue how to generate interest from scouts and higher level programs. This is part of the reason why they struggle recruiting every year.
5. PJHL – EOJHL
The PJHL and EOJHL both have their share of good young players. The drawback? Not much has been done to promote these players to higher levels, and players are on their own marketing themselves to move up. If not for good advisers, and a few hard working coaches players would not move up at all.
The rest of the Canadian Junior B leagues simply were not ranked. They are so far off these five that to mention them would be putting them in the same class as the leaders when they are not in that class.
Next week TJHN will publish the Top 20 list of all leagues combined.
