Sheldon Juniper Junior Review

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Sheldon Juniper

 

Sheldon Juniper Junior Review
 

Sheldon Juniper joined the Miami Marauders as a waiver signing about three quarters into the season. Since then, his incredible two-way ability to make an impact at both ends of the ice was seen by players and GMs alike all over the VHLM, and the VHL, too, as Juniper is now a highly touted prospect for the VHL Entry Draft. Juniper has a sublime ability to light the lamp, and though it may not seem like it with his disappointing stat line this season, most people believe that if he can get some more top line minutes, the goals will come in droves. Juniper is also very defensively sound, almost never leaving his man open and always ready for a breakout pass. He also has above average skating, which helps him power past defenders on the rush. As for an NHL comparison, Juniper has been compared to Cody Glass over and over and over again. And although he models his game after Sean Couturier, the Glass comparison is high praise, considering how Glass is a highly rated NHL prospect.

 

For a kid who loves hockey, Toronto, Ontario, is pretty much a haven for youth hockey. Juniper and his twin brother Graydon got to experience the wonders of the GTHL while playing under some of the best youth hockey coaches in the world. There is lots of hockey to watch around Toronto, and Juniper could often be seen attending games of the Maple Leafs, AHL Marlies, OHL Steelheads or Generals, or Junior A Buzzers. Needless to say, exposure to a great hockey experience was not a problem for Juniper. 

Juniper joined the Toronto Marlboros, the top minor hockey team in Toronto, when he was seven years old, and played there until he was twelve. Then, he got an offer from the Toronto Jr. Canadians to play on their first line and get tons of ice time. He gladly accepted, and benefitted greatly from the extra ice time he got with the Canadians. When he was fifteen, he was drafted into the OHL by the Sarnia Sting, and played there until he was 18. In his final season, he posted mind-boggling point totals-54 goals, 48 assists, and 102 points in 68 games. Due to the COVID-shortened season, his 18-year-old season was cut short, and he resorted to training at his home gym until he got offers from VHLM teams. 

Juniper on the Toronto Jr. Canadians

 

 

 

Juniper has been stellar in international play. In his first U16 tournament, playing for Canada Red, he put up 5 goals and 8 points in nine games, and in the highly-anticipated U18s, he put up 4 goals and 7 points in ten games on a stacked Canadian team where he didn't get ideal ice time. He earned assistant captain in the U18s, too, showing unexpected leadership on Canada's road to victory.

Juniper as assistant captain at the U18s