Junior Review: Jiggly Gumballs

[JigglyGumballs 1,056]

     Jiggly Gumballs was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Raised in a low-income family that had immigrated to Canada only 5 years prior, Jiggly became fantasized with hockey after watching a few random games on the TV when nothing else was really on. He then dreamed of becoming a pro hockey player. At the age of 5, he learned how to skate and once his father found a higher paying job, he began practicing on his own. Going to local rinks to practice his skating and learning how to pass and shoot in his garage. Starting at first with cardboard boxes, then moving to a net once they had enough money. As time went on and the young boy grew older. His parents gathered enough to allow him to participate in the U-11 program. Allowing him to actually train as a hockey player rather than just shooting and skating. His small stature was a immediately noticed though Jiggly pushed on, his hard work and dedication allowing him to improve on his skills. He began developing a balance between defending and going on the offense. His years practicing with a lone net making him dangerous on the point. He was often picked on by other players for his short size. Demoralizing yes, but he never gave up on his ambitions. He wanted to become a hockey player no matter what. So he trained harder, finding ways to be able to take on larger players.

 

     Eventually his skills would allow him to be drafted by his own hometown team, The Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL. A sixth round pick due to his small size. That didn't stop him from working on his game. His first season wasn't much with only 13 points, 3 goals, 10 assists in 58 games, but the following season, he broke out and reached 47 points in 60 games with a plus 4 rating, 21 of those 47 points, goals. A substantial difference from his previous year. When he was asked about his season back then, he mentioned about hard work, dedication, and not letting people judge you as a player based on size. He also mentioned in his own words "I wanted to make people in opposing teams realize that they got scored on by a short guy named Gumballs. Like imagine that out of context?" His style of play continued to evolve as he has shown signs of becoming a great two-way defender who is reliable on both ends of the ice. He has had issues with skating and checking though there is still much time for improvement. His small size may also make him prone to injuries though luckily, his career so far has seen only minor ones. Scouts have mentioned the possibility of Gumball's breakout junior season as a fluke, though gumballs would prove them wrong with a 40 point season in 63 games. Less point production yes, but it was still somewhat consistent from the previous season.

 

    Gumballs has since signed a 1.5 million dollar contract with the Houston Bulls and finally moved out of the comfort of his home province. A new home away from home.