Almost four years ago, Jackson Whistle was wearing the colours of the Kelowna Rockets and playing for the Memorial Cup.
Fast forward, and the goaltender香蕉视频直播檚 jersey are now flush with the colours of Great Britain (GBR), as he joins the nation香蕉视频直播檚 hockey squad at the 2019 IIHF Hockey World Championships, playing against the top teams in the world.
香蕉视频直播淧laying at this calibre is cool, and getting to represent your country is a special thing to do,香蕉视频直播� said Whistle.
Unlike Canada, Great Britain does not rank highly on hockey rankings. Competing at the worlds was going to be an up-hill battle for GBR; but the team persevered and earned their first win at this high of level hockey tournament since 1962.
In a comeback overtime victory against France, the win meant two things香蕉视频直播攈istory was being made and GBR avoided relegation from the elite pool to secure a spot at the 2020 World Championships.
香蕉视频直播淲e celebrated like we won the tournament,香蕉视频直播� said Whistle.
香蕉视频直播淚t was the hardest we ever celebrated for not being relegated. Staying up at this level is huge, playing against better players makes you a better player.香蕉视频直播�
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Whistle was born in Canada, played and grew up in the United Kingdom earning his dual citizenship, then played in Canada and in the WHL with the Rockets.
In 2015, Whistle backstopped the Rockets to the Memorial Cup. But while Kelowna was bested in overtime in the tournament final, Whistle said that there was some familiar emotions of playing at that high level again.
香蕉视频直播淚t was pretty similar to when we were at the Memorial. I loved playing for Kelowna, some of the best times of my life was playing for the Rockets,香蕉视频直播� he said.
Whistle now plays with the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) in the U.K., but his Kelowna roots have seemed to follow him around during his professional career.
Other Rockets were playing in the tournament as well. Germany香蕉视频直播檚 Leon Draisaitl and Canada香蕉视频直播檚 Damon Severson both gave GBR a good battle on the ice, and Whistle spent time catching up with Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 former goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh.
香蕉视频直播淪eeing some of the guys on the ice and in the handshakes, it was cool to see them,香蕉视频直播� Whistle said.
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Though Whistle and Great Britain didn香蕉视频直播檛 advance to the playoff rounds of the tournament, there was significant progress made for the country香蕉视频直播檚 hockey programs.
香蕉视频直播淪taying at the top level, you get more funding and get a lot of focus and attention,香蕉视频直播� said Whistle. 香蕉视频直播淚 think a lot more kids see it and will strive towards becoming hockey players.香蕉视频直播�
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The team香蕉视频直播檚 history-making win was the biggest highlight for Whistle, but the former Rocket goalie found himself happy to be playing with the world香蕉视频直播檚 best and reminiscing about the glory days as a young goalie with the Kelowna team.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 been a lot. Stepping up in net against Team Canada was pretty cool,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淏een getting some texts and messages from friends, teammates and coaches saying they saw me on TV.
香蕉视频直播淎nd I香蕉视频直播檓 glad we finished the way we did.香蕉视频直播�
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Whistle was reminded during the tournament that the Rockets will again be a part of the Memorial Cup when they host the tournament in May 2020.
He said he香蕉视频直播檇 be willing to make a cameo appearance and catch some games in his old stomping grounds.
香蕉视频直播淚f I香蕉视频直播檓 able to be in Kelowna, I香蕉视频直播檓 100 per cent in.香蕉视频直播�
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