World Junior power rankings

The Winnipeg Jets made junior hockey fans happy last week by sending Mark Scheifele back to the OHL.

The seventh-overall pick in last summer's draft made an immediate impact since his return to Barrie and will likely don the maple leaf in Alberta in two months. Scheifele was just one world junior hopeful to play his first action of the season, as the previously injured Quinton Howden suited up for Moose Jaw and stepped right into the rankings. Meanwhile, a newcomer to the rankings from one of junior hockey's newest teams is also making his case for consideration.

HOT

Mark Scheifele, Barrie Colts

The Winnipeg Jets' first-rounder is handling the demotion by terrorizing junior goalies. In three games since coming back, Scheifele scored two goals and picked up six assists for eight points with a plus-2 rating. Although he's giving the Colts an offensive shot in the arm, they managed only one win in three games. That ratio should improve if Scheifele continues piling up the points.

Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John Sea Dogs

Huberdeau is closing in on Zack Phillips for the Sea Dogs' scoring lead after another strong week. The sniping forward scored three times and picked up three assists in two games last week with an impressive plus-5 rating. Huberdeau's 22 points in 10 games is just three shy of the team lead set by Phillips, who has played in four more games.

Quinton Howden, Moose Jaw Warriors

Howden appears no worse for wear after finally beginning his season after suffering a concussion at the Florida Panthers' training camp. Howden scored a goal in each of his three games last week, also adding three assists for a plus-1 rating. As a returning forward from last year's silver-medal team, his spot is nearly assured. If he keeps producing like this, he could earn a spot one4 of the scoring lines.

Phillip Danault, Victoriaville Tigres

A cold player a week ago, Danault is starting to pick up his offensive game after a strong performance last week. Although held off the board in his first game against Val-d'Or, Danault went on to pick up six assists in the next three games with a plus-6 rating. As one of the top two-way forwards in junior, Danault will get a long look at the selection camp for this year's world junior team.

Kevin Sundher, Victoria Royals

Sundher is leaving his mark early this season after failing to receive an invitation to Hockey Canada's summer camp for world junior hopefuls. The 19-year-old forward was a quick starter last week, scoring the first goal in three of his team's four contests. At week's end, he scored seven times while adding two assists for nine points and a plus-3 rating. His 32 points in 17 games now leads the league in scoring.

Brandon Gormley, Moncton Wildcats

Another cold player a week ago, Gormley made good use of home ice with a goal and two assists and a plus-2 rating. The rebuilding Wildcats are climbing up the standings in the Maritimes Division and will need more performances like these from Gormley to remain in the top half of the division. If healthy, they'll also likely lose Gormley for a month during the holiday season.

Louis Domingue, Quebec Remparts<

If his first month of the season is any indication, Domingue is going to make Hockey Canada's decision more difficult for their goaltending duo. The Remparts' starting goaltender is on fire, posting a 30-save shutout win over Baie-Comeau before leading his team to another win over Shawinigan with a 40-save effort. Domingue's weekly save percentage was a stellar .946.

Tyler Bunz, Medicine Hat Tigers

Bunz continues to make his case for a job on the world junior team this December. The product of St. Albert, Alta., an Edmonton suburb, would love to represent Canada in front of family and friends. He won both starts last week, surrendering just two goals on a combined 57 shots for a sparkling .966 save percentage. He's one of junior hockey's top goaltenders in the young season.

COLD

Brett Ritchie, Sarnia Sting

Although Ritchie will never be mistaken for Nail Yakupov, his point production fell off last week. A spot producer with a physical game, Ritchie failed to pick up a point in any of his team's three games and was a minus-3 on the week. On a team as loaded offensively as the Sting, Ritchie will get ample opportunity to produce. Sarnia, meanwhile, leads the West Division standings with 25 points.

Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers

Points are proving difficult to come by in Kitchener even for the slick-skating dynamo. Murphy, a near lock to make the Canadian world junior team, picked up just one assist in three games last week and was a minus-2. His one assist was his only point in his last six games after getting four assists in his first two games after returning back to the OHL from Carolina.

LAST WEEK HOT: Jonathan Huberdeau, Saint John Sea Dogs; Mark Stone, Brandon Wheat Kings; Brendan Gallagher, Vancouver Giants; Freddie Hamilton, Niagara IceDogs; Jamie Oleksiak, Saginaw Spirit; Jerome Gauthier-Leduc, Rimouski Oceanic; Mark Visentin, Niagara IceDogs

LAST WEEK COLD: Phillip Danault, Victoriaville Tigres; Matt Puempel, Peterborough Petes; Ryan Murphy, Kitchener Rangers