Area 51 Sports Network

Local Sports. Local Source.

CHL OHL QMJHL WHL

CHL Rankings, but Make Them Matter

ByKevin Olenick

Jun 21, 2022

Wednesdays are typically the day we are handed the new CHL rankings, so let’s have a quick chat about them.

For followers of the WHL, the rankings have been good news. Four teams – Winnipeg Ice, Edmonton Oil Kings, Everett Silvertips, and Kamloops Blazers – have consistently been at or near the top of the rankings. We’ve even seen appearances from the Red Deer Rebels, Kelowna Rockets, and Portland Winterhawks. So at face value, good news.

However, let’s look at this a little deeper. How accurate are these rankings? In the WHL, Eastern Conference teams are playing only Eastern Conference teams. And Western Conference teams are only playing Western Conference teams. As such, while we may know that Winnipeg is better than Edmonton or that Everett is better than Kamloops. How do we truly know that Winnipeg or Edmonton are better than teams like Everett or Kamloops? They haven’t played each other.

Let’s take a deeper look at this. How do we truly know that a WHL team is better than an OHL and QMJHL? Or vice versa? They don’t play each other, so a lot of this is pure speculation. We can debate it, but our arguments would have no practical backing.

Furthermore, what is the actual benefit of being a top-ranked team in the CHL? You don’t get a bye into a Memorial Cup spot. While the Vanier Cup (Canadian university football) and similar hockey leagues award rankings, the CHL does not.

So, this leads to the question. Should we drop the CHL rankings system? Absolutely not. We need to find a way for them to matter. We need them to be part of the actual hockey conversation. We need to be able to have a genuine debate. So, how do we do it?

It’s time for the CHL to start looking at inter-league play. WHL teams should play OHL teams and QMJHL teams, and they should not be exhibition games. They should count in the standings. It could be similar to what the NFL does, where top teams play top teams, and bottom teams play bottom teams.

We will get the benefits of the rankings; however, let’s stop to look at the potential benefits of this.

1) It would help with the development of the players. The three leagues play very different styles, and this would provide yet another way for players to grow and learn.

2) There would be exciting games that would generate fan interest. Just imagine Matthew Savoie and the Winnipeg Ice taking on Shane Wright and the Kingston Frontenacs? Or Lukas Cormier from Charlottetown facing Logan Stankoven and the Kamloops Blazers? This would provide the opportunity to create more interest across the country. These are games with the potential to be nationally televised, and people would watch. There would be a curiosity factor at play.

Now, let’s get back to the rankings part of this because these games could add to something I’ve advocated before. I believe that it is time for the CHL to look at the “March Madness” single-elimination tournament for the Memorial Cup. More teams would play for it, and it could have a Final Four type of ending. That is where these rankings matter because the upper echelon teams will have played each other to settle who potentially would have a higher ranking. This would then allow for some interesting online and podcast debate about who is better. It creates conversation.

The CHL could use some more conversation.

So then, when it’s Wednesday, and we see the CHL rankings, and we see the WHL or whichever league dominate, there could be more interest in it. More than face values.

By Kevin Olenick

Related Post

Portland Winterhawks Wenatchee Wild WHL

Portland Winterhawks Season Preview: Taking flight in Wenatchee

Sep 22, 2023 Bryan Del Fava
CHL US Divison Wenatchee Wild Western Conference WHL Winnipeg ICE

Wenatchee Wild Weekly Preview: Week One

Sep 22, 2023 Gabe Neumann
CHL US Divison Wenatchee Wild Western Conference WHL

Six Wenatchee Wild to compete for coveted three spots

Aug 30, 2023 Gabe Neumann
7,523 thoughts on “CHL Rankings, but Make Them Matter”

  29. Cheers, A lot of information.why i want to go to college essay parts of a dissertation scholarship essay writing service

  36. I will immediately take hold of your rss feed as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service.Do you have any? Kindly permit me recognize in order that Imay subscribe. Thanks.

  38. I am really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog.Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to seea great blog like this one nowadays.

  41. I really like what you guys are usually up too.This kind of clever work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve added you guys to our blogroll.

  56. I’ve been trying for so long, I just want to try something new, can someone please tell me where to [url=http://clomid.africa/]buy clomid over the counter[/url]?

  58. neurontin 800 mg price [url=https://neurontinpill.online/]where can i buy neurontin online[/url] neurontin 150 mg

  61. cialis 20mg pills generic [url=https://cialis.africa/]buy cialis no prescription canada[/url] cialis 5mg generic

  72. Say goodbye to the hassle of doctor’s visits and insurance headaches – order [url=https://synthroid.skin/]Synthroid no prescription[/url] from the comfort of your own home.

  86. Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguardagainst hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Anyrecommendations?

  93. I ⅼike reading through a post that will maкe men and wоmen think.Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment!Feeⅼ free to viѕіt my wеb paցe – Bokep Live Indo

  98. amoxicillin 100 mg coupon [url=https://amoxicillin.science/]can we buy amoxcillin 500mg on ebay without prescription[/url] buy cheap amoxicillin online

  100. kamagra 100mg oral jelly amazon [url=http://kamagra.charity/]where to buy kamagra jelly in bangkok[/url] kamagra oral jelly from uk

  102. Right now it appears like Drupal is the best blogging platform out there rightnow. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?Stop by my blog; forum.adm-tolka.ru

  103. vardenafil online no prescription [url=http://vardenafil.africa/]vardenafil buy online[/url] vardenafil professional

  112. buy amoxicillin online canada [url=http://amoxicillin.science/]amoxicillin for sale no prescription[/url] amoxicillin 500 mg online

  114. Don’t let the cost of your medication impact your thyroid health, ask your doctor about [url=http://synthroidmx.online/]cheap generic Synthroid[/url].

  118. scoliosisHmm is anyone else having problems with the images on this blog loading?I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or ifit’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.scoliosis

  124. ทางเราจำหน่าย relx Infinity , relx Bubble Mon , Infy Pood ต้องขอบอกได้เลยว่า kschill.com เป็นตัวแทนหลักอย่างเป็นทางการในไทย ที่ใหญ่ที่สุด และเป็นเจ้าเดียวกับ RELX THAILAND สินค้าทุกแบรนด์ ทุกรุ่น เราได้ทำการคัดสรร บุหรี่ไฟฟ้า ที่เป็นหนึ่งในนวัตกรรม ช่วยเลิกบุหรี่ ที่มีประสิทธิดีเยี่ยม และช่วยได้จริง
    มาให้ลูกค้าได้เลือกใช้ โดยสินค้าทุกชิ้นของเรา
    สั่งตรงจากโรงงาน

  125. top online pharmacy [url=https://pharmacyonline.directory/]mexican pharmacies online drugs[/url] online pharmacy without insurance

  128. Hi there! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the sameniche. Your blog provided us useful information to work on. You have done a outstanding job!

  134. I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog.I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from youin the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own blog now

  141. An outstanding share! I’ve just forwarded this onto a cooworker who
    haad bsen conduucting a little rssearch on this. And hee in faft
    oordered mee breakfast due to the fact thwt I stumbled upon it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Tanks for the meal!!
    But yeah, tbanks for spendiing time to discuss thus topic here on your web page.

  142. I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  162. Exceptional post however , I was wanting to know if you couldwrite a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more.Cheers!