The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) today announced the week three edition of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2019-20 season. The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.
After entering the Top-10 Rankings as an honourable mention in week one, the Portland Winterhawks have jumped to fourth place and are the top-ranked team from the Western Hockey League in this week’s rankings. Continuing their record to 3-0-0-0 over the past weekend with a 4-2 win against the Vancouver Giants, the Winterhawks remain as the lone WHL team with a perfect record. Visiting the Central Division, the Winterhawks begin their tour of the division on Friday, October 4 (7:00 p.m. MT) against the Lethbridge Hurricanes.
Occupying the ninth spot on the list were the Edmonton Oil Kings. Although they had a rocky finish this weekend with one loss and an overtime loss, the Oil Kings’ roster promises better in the future with 20-year-old Riley Sawchuk leading the team with six points (3G-3A) in four games, New York Rangers prospect Matthew Robertson, and 2020 NHL Draft prospect Jake Neighbours guiding the group. The Oil Kings’ next set of games sees them on the road against the Swift Current Broncos on Wednesday, October 2 (7:00 p.m. MT) before heading on an East Division swing.
Following closely behind are the Giants in 10th place. After returning from the Colorado Avalanche’s training camp, Bowen Byram made a splash in Vancouver, notching five assists in three games. Justin Sourdif, a 2020 NHL Draft prospect, has also propelled the team in their five games, recording eight points (4G-4A) assists. The Giants start their East Division road trip this weekend against the Brandon Wheat Kings at Westoba Place on Friday, October 4 (7:30 p.m. CT).
After receiving an honourable mention in week one of the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings, the Calgary Hitmen have rejoined the rankings in the first honourable mention spot of the list. With three explosive victories over the weekend, including a 4-3 overtime win against the Oil Kings, the Hitmen are tied for first in the WHL’s overall standings. Vancouver Canucks prospect Carson Focht led Calgary this weekend, notching five points (2G-3A), including the overtime-winning goal on Friday. The Hitmen will host the Portland Winterhawks on Sunday, October 6 (2:00 p.m. MT) at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alta.
Gracing the Kia CHL Top-10 Rankings in the honourable mentions for the first time this season are the defending WHL Champion Prince Albert Raiders. Also tied for first in the WHL standings with a 3-0-1-0 record, the Raiders had a dominant weekend, winning both games on the road in the East Division. Driving the victories was Washington Capitals prospect Aliaksei Protas, who now has totaled seven points (3G-4A) in four games. The Raiders will be back in action at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert, Sask. on Friday, October 4 (7:00 p.m. MT), hosting division rivals, the Saskatoon Blades.
Kia CHL Top 10 Rankings – Week 3
| Rank: | Team: | Last Week Ranked: | Total Weeks Ranked: |
| 1 | Ottawa 67’s (3-1-0-0) | 1 | 3 |
| 2 | Chicoutimi Sagueneens (3-0-1-0) | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Sherbrooke Phoenix (4-0-1-0) | 5 | 3 |
| 4 | Portland Winterhawks (3-0-0-0) | – | 1 |
| 5 | Cape Breton Eagles (4-0-0-0) | – | 1 |
| 6 | Soo Greyhounds (4-0-0-0) | – | 1 |
| 7 | Oshawa Generals (4-0-0-0) | – | 1 |
| 8 | London Knights (2-2-0-0) | 9 | 3 |
| 9 | Edmonton Oil Kings (2-1-1-0) | 4 | 3 |
| 10 | Vancouver Giants (3-2-0-0) | 6 | 3 |
| Honourable Mention: | |||
| Calgary Hitmen (3-0-1-0) | – | 0 | |
| Rimouski Oceanic (3-0-0-1) | – | 0 | |
| Prince Albert Raiders (3-0-1-0) | – | 0 |
