Canadian Power Rankings: April 1st, 2013 (First Quarter)
| TEAM (League) | CHANGE | NOTES (Rollergirl.ca /WFTDA rank) |
1. New Skids on the Block (Montreal Roller Derby) |
– | They’ve unquestionably been the best team in the country since 2010, and they have yet to be challenged; strong wins to kick off 2013 (they are 4-1) and a well-played loss to Windy City mean that they remain the cream of the crop in Canadian roller derby (1 / 17). |
2. Terminal City All Stars (Terminal City Roller Girls) |
– | Off to a solid 3-1 start to 2013, consistency allows this team to hold on to second spot (their only loss so far was a two-pointer to Santa Cruz). The fastest rising team in WFTDA throughout 2012, they are currently the only Canadian team other than Montreal in WFTDA’s Division 1 (2 / 39). |
3. CN Power (Toronto Roller Derby) |
– | A lack of consistency (losses to beatable teams in Grand Rapids and Rideau Valley, yet a fantastic performance against Ohio) has CNP trapped at third. Firmly in a Division 2 playoff spot, they will need more consistent performances to move into Division 1 and climb up these rankings (3 / 49). |
4. Tri-City Thunder (Tri-City Roller Girls) |
– | Only one game in 2013 so far (a loss to Montreal), the team holds their fourth spot for now, but will have to prove themselves to keep it. Massive roster changes mean that Thunder will need solid performances against upcoming opponents (including Killamazoo and Cincinnati) to hold onto this position. (4 / 50) |
5. Rideau Valley Vixens (Rideau Valley Roller Girls) |
– | A recent huge upset over CN Power was somewhat balanced out by a surprising collapse against Ohio, but they are definitely a team trending upward, and wins against scheduled opponents like New Hampshire and Tri-City will certainly propel them higher. (5 / 71) |
6. The Mind Fox (Saskatoon Roller Derby League) |
– | A fantastic performance at RDAC Nationals has this team leaping up the rankings. Clearly the dominant team of the tournament, they will have a chance to hold this spot at the upcoming Flat Track Fever. While the Top 5 is locked in pretty solidly, right now, The Mind Fox seems to have the best chance to make a run for it (11 / -). |
7. Sugar Skulls (Pile O’ Bones Roller Derby Club) |
– | Another team trending upward; impressive second place finish at RDAC Nationals including a big win over E-Ville solidified this spot. However, there are a lot of teams gunning for them, and a strong performance at Flat Track Fever would help them solidify their ranking.(13 / -) |
| 8. Misfit Militia (Renegade Derby Dames)
|
– | Like the Thunder, the Misfit Militia are given the benefit of the doubt due to a lack of activity so far in 2013. After a breakout 2012, this spot is the Militia’s to lose, and with games only scheduled against Les Duchesses (Quebec) and Royal City, they will need to make a big impression in those games. (8 / -) |
9. E-Ville Dead (E-Ville Roller Derby) |
– | A team trending downward right now on the backs of some transfers and roster changes, they hold this spot based on a strong third place performance at RDAC Nationals including last-jam victory over the Kannibelles; the upcoming Flat Track Fever should say a lot about the direction they are heading in (10 / -). |
10. Kootenay Kannibelles (West Kootenay Roller Derby) |
– | Another western team that seems to be trending downward after a huge roster shakeup following a very successful 2012 season. The depth of this league will be tested in 2013 as the Kannibelles rebuild. A tough loss to E-Ville at RDAC knocks them to the bottom of the Top 10. (7 / -) |
ON THE BUBBLE
While there are a number of teams that came up in the discussion of this opening power ranking, a few teams that we feel could have a very real impact on these rankings in 2013 are the CRDA All Stars (Calgary Roller Derby Association), The Belladonnas (Red Deer Roller Derby Association), and the Timber Rollers (Forest City Derby Girls).
Calgary and Forest City are both WFTDA apprentice leagues who have refocused their leagues recently and committed to producing top-level travel team rosters. Recent transfers to Calgary have provided bench depth and leadership, while Forest City has restructured their league so that the travel team has a unique roster, and they’ve internally developed some strong new skaters who have helped push this team to a 3-0 start in 2013.
Red Deer is another team to watch that has a deep bench. The Belladonnas feature three skaters who were members of Team 
Canada at the inaugural World Cup, and are on the bubble because of a lack of activity this year, and also inconsistency last year: a thrilling performance a Flat Track Fever followed by a disappointing RDAC Westerns. Nonetheless, they are a team that has the depth to work its way back up the rankings. They, along with with Calgary, have a huge opportunity to make an impression in the upcoming Flat Track Fever.
The Canadian Power Rankings will be updated on July 1st.
These rankings were compiled by the Derby Nerd, Captain Lou El Bammo, Dick Pounder and Andi Struction.
Read the Canadian Power Rankings preview and explanation here.
Respectful disagreement and debate is encouraged!
The Derby Nerd 
i disgree with the placement of misfit militia at #8, clearly an up and coming team but i don’t think they’ve played enough top teams to be placed this high. the bubble is a better spot for them, imo.
As a resident of the country just south of you, I totally agree with your placement of the top five. And look forward to the development of more WFTDA teams in Canada.