Kelly McCrimmon shake hands with then Calgary Hitmen coach Mike Williamson during the 2010 Memorial Cup tournament in Brandon. McCrimmon’s Wheat Kings look ready for a long playoff run. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)
Kelly McCrimmon’s ability to stockpile talent hasn’t gone unnoticed.
The Brandon Wheat Kings super boss, who has brought in the likes of Jordan Papirny, Ryan Pilon, Kale Clague and Nolan Patrick via the draft and trades, has a squad that has won favour from the NHL scouts who contribute to the BMO CHL Top-10 Rankings.
Brandon is the top WHL to start the 2014-15 season, coming in at No. 3. The Kelowna Rockets come in at No. 5.
Below is the CHL press release.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
FOUR WHL CLUBS IN PRE-SEASON BMO CHL MASTERCARD TOP 10
Brandon Wheat Kings, Kelowna Rockets, Calgary Hitmen, Portland Winterhawks
Toronto, ON – The Canadian Hockey League today announced the pre-season edition of the BMO CHL Top-10 Rankings for the 2014-15 season. The weekly rankings of the CHL’s Top-10 teams are selected by a panel of National Hockey League scouts.
The 2014-15 CHL regular season schedule begins tonight in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League when the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies visit the defending QMJHL champion Val-d’Or Foreurs. The Western Hockey League schedule opens on Friday September 19, while the Ontario Hockey League regular season begins on Wednesday September 24.
The second edition of the BMO CHL Top-10 Rankings will be published on Wednesday October 1, 2014.
BMO CHL Top 10 Rankings – Pre-season
- Rimouski Oceanic
- Kingston Frontenacs
- Brandon Wheat Kings
- Quebec Remparts
- Kelowna Rockets
- Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
- Calgary Hitmen
- Guelph Storm
- Halifax Mooseheads
- Portland Winterhawks
Honourable Mention:
Charlottetown Islanders
Plymouth Whalers
Seattle Thunderbirds
