Almost four years ago, Jackson Whistle was wearing the colours of the Kelowna Rockets and playing for the Memorial Cup.
Fast forward, and the goaltender91裸聊视频檚 jersey are now flush with the colours of Great Britain (GBR), as he joins the nation91裸聊视频檚 hockey squad at the 2019 IIHF Hockey World Championships, playing against the top teams in the world.
91裸聊视频淧laying at this calibre is cool, and getting to represent your country is a special thing to do,91裸聊视频� 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 things91裸聊视频攈istory was being made and GBR avoided relegation from the elite pool to secure a spot at the 2020 World Championships.
91裸聊视频淲e celebrated like we won the tournament,91裸聊视频� said Whistle.
91裸聊视频淚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.91裸聊视频�
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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.
91裸聊视频淚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,91裸聊视频� 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. Germany91裸聊视频檚 Leon Draisaitl and Canada91裸聊视频檚 Damon Severson both gave GBR a good battle on the ice, and Whistle spent time catching up with Kelowna91裸聊视频檚 former goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh.
91裸聊视频淪eeing some of the guys on the ice and in the handshakes, it was cool to see them,91裸聊视频� Whistle said.
READ MORE: Former Kelowna Rockets lace up for IIHF Championships
Though Whistle and Great Britain didn91裸聊视频檛 advance to the playoff rounds of the tournament, there was significant progress made for the country91裸聊视频檚 hockey programs.
91裸聊视频淪taying at the top level, you get more funding and get a lot of focus and attention,91裸聊视频� said Whistle. 91裸聊视频淚 think a lot more kids see it and will strive towards becoming hockey players.91裸聊视频�
READ MORE: Canada91裸聊视频檚 Brown and De Grasse finish 1-2 in 200 metres at Shanghai meet
The team91裸聊视频檚 history-making win was the biggest highlight for Whistle, but the former Rocket goalie found himself happy to be playing with the world91裸聊视频檚 best and reminiscing about the glory days as a young goalie with the Kelowna team.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been a lot. Stepping up in net against Team Canada was pretty cool,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淏een getting some texts and messages from friends, teammates and coaches saying they saw me on TV.
91裸聊视频淎nd I91裸聊视频檓 glad we finished the way we did.91裸聊视频�
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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 he91裸聊视频檇 be willing to make a cameo appearance and catch some games in his old stomping grounds.
91裸聊视频淚f I91裸聊视频檓 able to be in Kelowna, I91裸聊视频檓 100 per cent in.91裸聊视频�
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