Last week in major junior hockey and this week’s Canadian Hockey League (CHL) top 10 rankings. FIVE MINUTE MAJOR

The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) once again led the way with four clubs. The defending Memorial Cup champion Windsor Spitfires landed in the two spot. The London Knights slotted in at five, Niagara IceDogs at eight and Brampton Steelheads at 10.

In the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), they once again checked in with three team as did the Western Hockey League (WHL). For the QMJHL, the Moncton Wildcats led the pack at number one with the Drummondville Voltigeurs at three. This year’s Memorial Cup host, the Rimouski Oceanic pulled in at six.

The Saskatoon Blades made their debut in the Top 10 at number nine as one of three WHL clubs to crack the top 10. They did so as they’re only one of just four CHL teams with a point percentage greater than .800. The other two WHL teams in this week’s CHL top 10 rankings were the US Division’s Everett Silvertips at four and BC Division’s Prince George Cougars at seven.

Everett and London both moved up to their respective spots after going undefeated over the past weekend.

In other news in the WHL out of the US Division in Wenatchee, forward Ty Fraser has called it a career. The news was announced Tuesday night.

Fraser leaves the organization after 122 games with the Winnipeg ICE and Wenatchee Wild franchise. He was part of the team during its relocation from Manitoba to Washington last summer. Fraser posted seven goals and 20 assists for 27 points during his time with the ICE and Wild. This included 66 games and 15 points during his time with Wenatchee. At the time of his departure, he was in his third season with the franchise.

On Wednesday, Oct. 23 it was announced that 155 CHL Players were included in the National Hockey League (NHL) Central Scouting’s Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2025 NHL Draft.

15 CHL players received an ‘A rating’ which indicates a first-round candidate for the 2025 NHL Draft.

The QMJHL’s ‘A’ ranked skaters are forwards Caleb Desnoyers from the Moncton Wildcats and Justin Carbonneau from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Both are averaging just over 1.4 points per game and enjoying strong starts to their 2024-25 seasons.

The OHL’s top-ranked talent features defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson from the Barrie Colts, forward Brady Martin from the Soo Greyhounds, forward Porter Martone from the Brampton Steelheads, forward Michael Misa from the Saginaw Spirit and forward Jake O’Brien from the Brantford Bulldogs. The Erie Otters checked in with defenseman Matthew Schaefer and forward Malcolm Spence.

The WHL’s ‘A’ ranked talent includes defenseman Blake Fiddler from the Edmonton Oil Kings, forward Lynden Lakovic from the Moose Jaw Warriors, forward Roger McQueen from the Brandon Wheat Kings, forward Cole Reschny from the Victoria Royals, goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen from the Prince George Cougars and defenseman Jackson Smith from the Tri-City Americans.

This is just another testament to the CHL and the talent it develops and produces.