FIVE MINUTE MAJOR CHL Top Ten and more.

It’s a new week in major junior hockey and with that comes a new CHL top 10 rankings, players of the week and more.

This week’s rankings haven’t changed a ton as the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats sit at one while the OHL’s London Knights sit at two. The QMJHL also saw this year’s Memorial Cup host the Rimouski Océanic slide in at three and the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada at 10. As for the OHL, in addition to London, they saw the Kitchener Rangers land at seven and the Brantford Bulldogs at nine.

The WHL saw the Spokane Chiefs land at four, Everett Silvertips at six and Calgary Hitmen at eight.

Staying in general CHL news, the CHL team of the month was announced Thursday, March 6. This month’s team included Chiefs’ center Berkly Catton, forward Michael Misa from the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit, forward Nick Lardis from the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs, defenseman Zayne Parekh from the Spirit, defenseman Justin Kipke from the WHL’s Victoria Royals and goaltender Rudy Guimond from the Wildcats.

It was announced Monday, March 10 that Saskatoon Blades forward Hunter Laing was named WHL Player of the Week. He had four goals and an assist for five points in two games. Those two games were key divisional victories that helped the Blades secure a playoff berth.

Sticking in the Eastern Conference, Medicine Hat’s Liam Ruck received Rookie of the Week honors. It’s the second time this season the 17-year-old has been awarded the honor. He tallied three goals in two games to help the Tigers extend their win streak to nine games and maintain their grip on first place in the Central Division and Eastern Conference.

In the Western Conference, Vancouver Giants goaltender Burke Hood was named goaltender of the week. It’s the second time this season the rookie has received the honor. Hood went 2-0-0-0 on the week with a 1.00 goals-against average and a stellar .972 save percentage.

In a horrifying turn of events during a fight Tuesday night in a game between the Seattle Thunderbirds and Tri-City Americans, Tri-City defenseman Terrell Goldsmith required medical attention 1:05 into the second period following a fight. He was taken to hospital by ambulance, where it was reported that he was alert and responsive and receiving medical attention. The game will be rescheduled for a later date.

Heading into Wednesday night’s slate of six games, 14 of 16 WHL teams had clinched playoff berths as the final spot in each conference was up for grabs. The eight seed in the East was pretty much locked in by the Swift Current Broncos. They just hadn’t officially clinched it yet going into their home game Wednesday night against the Red Deer Rebels. In the Western Conference, the Seattle Thunderbirds sat eighth. However, the Wenatchee Wild were only three points behind them.

Due to the unfortunate incident at Tri-City Tuesday night, the Thunderbirds were unable to gain extra ground on Wenatchee, which could make the rest of the season interesting. Wenatchee was set to play at Kamloops against the Blazers Wednesday night.