{{Short description|Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox ice hockey player | name = Jackson Whistle | image = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|6|9|df=y}} | birth_place = Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada | height_m = 1.85 | weight_kg = 87 | position = Goaltender | catches = Left | league = EIHL | team = Belfast Giants | former_teams = Vancouver Giants<br />Kelowna Rockets<br />Sheffield Steelers<br />Nottingham Panthers | ntl_team = GBR | draft = Undrafted | career_start = 2016 | career_end = }} '''Jackson Whistle''' (born 9 June 1995) is a Canadian-born British professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League and the British national team. He represented Great Britain at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, 2021 IIHF World Championship, 2022 IIHF World Championship and 2024 IIHF World Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.icehockeyuk.co.uk/2019/04/22/russell-names-25-man-world-championship-squad/|title=Russell names 25-man World Championship squad|publisher=icehockeyuk.co.uk|date=22 April 2019|access-date=7 June 2019|archive-date=1 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501200641/https://www.icehockeyuk.co.uk/2019/04/22/russell-names-25-man-world-championship-squad/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishicehockey.co.uk/post/russell-names-team-for-latvia/#:~:text=However%2C%20there%20are%20five%20players,for%20the%20first%20time%20also.|title=Russell names team for Latvia &#124; British Ice Hockey|date=22 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.icehockeyuk.co.uk/two-changes-to-gb-squad-for-worlds-in-finland/ | title=Two Changes to Gb Squad for Worlds in Finland – Ihuk | access-date=9 June 2022 | archive-date=4 February 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204174908/https://www.icehockeyuk.co.uk/two-changes-to-gb-squad-for-worlds-in-finland/ | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=GB CONFIRM TEAM FOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – IHUK |url=https://www.icehockeyuk.co.uk/gb-confirm-team-for-world-championship/ |access-date=2024-05-24 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Whistle previously played for the Belfast Giants during an earlier spell between 2016 and 2018, before spending one season with both the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers.

==Playing career== ===Junior career=== Whistle played Atom hockey in the Bracknell Bees system, before moving back to Canada where he played for the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} He was subsequently selected as the Vancouver Giants fourth-round pick in the 2010 WHL Bantam Draft.<ref name="ep">{{cite web|url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/101576/jackson-whistle|title=Jackson Whilstle - EliteProspects|website=EliteProspects.com|access-date=12 June 2019}}</ref> Before playing with the Giants, Whistle was a member of the Gold Medal winning British Columbia team at the 2011 Canada Winter Games. After his first season with the Giants, in which he played 21 games as back-up to starter Adam Morrison, he was traded for a 3rd-round pick in 2014 Bantam Draft to the Kelowna Rockets.<ref name="trade">{{cite web|url=http://vancouvergiants.com/giants-swing-a-trade-that-sends-whistle-back-home|title= Giants Swing a Trade That Sends Whistle Back Home |website=VancouverGiants.com|date=7 September 2012|access-date=12 June 2019}}</ref>

During his first two seasons with the Rockets, Whistle played as back-up to starting goaltender Jordon Cooke. In the 2014–15 WHL season he was named as the team's starting Goaltender.<ref>{{cite news |title=A starter success for Rockets Jackson Whistle|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1696875/watch-a-starter-success-for-rockets-jackson-whistle/|publisher=Global News|date=27 November 2014|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref> Whistle was named November WHL Goalie of the Month after winning 12 of the team's first 14 games of the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Whistle named WHL Goalie of the Month|url=https://kelownarockets.com/whistle-named-whl-goalie-of-month/|publisher=Kelowna Rockets|date=6 November 2014|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref> The run of good form continued all season, culminating in the Rockets winning their fourth WHL Championship by beating the Brandon Wheat Kings 4–0 in the finals. As a result, the team qualified for the 2015 Memorial Cup, where they progressed to the final, losing 2–1 in overtime to Oshawa Generals.

Whistle's final season with the Rockets was marred by injury, as he suffered a torn labrum in both hips which resulted in season-ending surgery.<ref>{{cite news |title=Injury ends Whistle's junior career|url=https://www.kelownacapnews.com/sports/injury-ends-whistles-junior-career/|publisher=Kelowna Capital News|date=26 February 2016|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref>

===Professional career=== Whistle started his professional career in the July 2016, signing with the Belfast Giants of the EIHL,<ref>{{cite news |title=Belfast Giants snap-up Stephen Murphy and Jackson Whistle|url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/more-sport/belfast-giants-snap-up-stephen-murphy-and-jackson-whistle-1-7480529|publisher=The News Letter|date=15 July 2016|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref> where he served as back-up to long-time incumbent Stephen Murphy.

Whistle acted as the starting goaltender for much of the 2017-18 season, as a result of Stephen Murphy picking up a season ending injury early in the season. Whistle played 44 games for the Giants, posting a 3.38 GAA with a .895 SV%.<ref name="ep"/>

Whilst the Giants would finish 5th in the league, and lose in the playoff quarterfinal, they did take home some silverware, winning the Challenge Cup for the 2nd time in their history, beating the Cardiff Devils 6–3 in the final.<ref>{{cite news |title=Giants Clinch Challenge Cup With Final Win In Wales|url=https://belfastgiants.com/2018/03/04/giants-clinch-challenge-cup-final-win-wales//|publisher=Belfast Giants|date=4 March 2018|access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref> Following the completion of the campaign, Whistle joined the Sheffield Steelers, signing a 2-year contract.<ref name=steelers>{{cite news |title=The Whistle Brothers join the Steelers|url=https://sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/the-whistle-brothers-join-the-steelers/|publisher=Sheffield Steelers|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref>

In his first season with the Steelers Whistle was named starter following the release of Matt Climie, playing in 50 of the team's 60 games during the 2018–19 EIHL season. During this time he posted a posting a 3.20 GAA with a .898 SV% and was named as the EIHL Player of the Week in February, with coach Tom Barrasso describing him as the team's best player.<ref>{{cite news|title=Player of Week 23: Jackson Whistle|url=https://eliteleague.co.uk/2019/02/12/player-of-week-23-jackson-whistle/|publisher=EIHL|date=12 February 2019|access-date=15 June 2019|archive-date=16 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616213709/https://eliteleague.co.uk/2019/02/12/player-of-week-23-jackson-whistle/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Steelers would finish the season in 7th place, before losing in the Playoff quarterfinals to the Cardiff Devils.

In July 2019, Whistle made the shock move from Sheffield to their closest rivals Nottingham Panthers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.panthers.co.uk/home/190726-whistle-signs|title = 190726 &#124; Whistle Signs - Nottingham Panthers}}</ref>

In July 2021, Whistle rejoined the Belfast Giants ahead of the 2021-22 Elite League season and has remained with them since, winning the Challenger Cup, the League title and the Playoff cup in the 22–23 season. His team also qualified for the Champions Hockey League but Whistle did not play at all.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfastgiants.com/2021/07/13/whistle-and-dickson-complete-giants-goalie-line-up/|title = Whistle and Dickson Complete Giants' Goalie Line-Up|date = 13 July 2021}}</ref>

==International play== Although born in Canada, Whistle is eligible to play for Great Britain as a result of spending his childhood years in the country. He made his international debut at the 2018 IIHF World Championships, coming in as relief for starter Ben Bowns in a 6–1 loss to Kazakhstan, conceding 1 goal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kazakh domination - Favourites find back after early shock|url=http://wmia2018.iihf.hockey/en/news/kaz-gbr/|publisher=IIHF|date=15 August 2018|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Jackson Whistle and Great Britain qualify for 2019 hockey worlds |url=https://kelownarockets.com/article/jackson-whistle-and-great-britain-qualify-for-2019-hockey-worlds-2|publisher=Kelowna Rockets|date=2 May 2018|access-date=15 June 2019}}</ref> Despite this loss, Team GB won the rest of their games and gained promotion to the IIHF World Championships for the first time in 25 years.

Whistle once again represented Great Britain at the 2019 IIHF World Championship. As back-up to Bowns he did not start any games, however, he came off the bench in losses to Canada, Denmark and Slovakia, conceding 9 goals across the 3 games. He played three games at the 2021 IIHF World Championship.

In 2024 Whistle would again represent Great Britain at the World Championships he would finish the tournament with a 88.1 SV% and a 4.06 GAA. Whistle would play four out of the seven games.

==Personal life== He is the son of former player and coach David Whistle. His younger brother Brandon also plays for the Belfast Giants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Belfast Giants Confirm Signing of Brandon Whistle |url=https://www.belfastgiants.com/news/brandon-whistle-signing-2526 |access-date=11 August 2025}}</ref>

==Career statistics== ===Regular season and playoffs=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:75%" |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! align="center" colspan="9" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Regular season ! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! align="center" colspan="8" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Playoffs |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! W ! L ! T/OT ! MIN ! GA ! SO ! GAA ! SV% ! GP ! W ! L ! MIN ! GA ! SO ! GAA ! SV% |- |2011–12 |Vancouver Giants |WHL | 21 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 863 | 52 | 1 | 3.61 | .873 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2012–13 |Kelowna Rockets |WHL | 21 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 1166 | 38 | 1 | 1.96 | .931 | 1 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 2.74 | .889 |- |2013–14 |Kelowna Rockets |WHL | 22 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1314 | 58 | 1 | 2.65 | .917 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2014–15 |Kelowna Rockets |WHL | 50 | 34 | 10 | 5 | 2962 | 126 | 4 | 2.55 | .909 | 19 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | 2.52 | .916 |- |2015–16 |Kelowna Rockets |WHL | 27 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 1559 | 66 | 2 | 2.54 | .920 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2016–17 |Belfast Giants |EIHL | 14 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 830 | 36 | 1 | 2.60 | .903 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |- |2017–18 |Belfast Giants |EIHL | 44 | 27 | 15 | 0 | 2576 | 145 | 0 | 3.38 | .895 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 120 | 8 | 0 | 3.85 | .855 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2018–19 |Sheffield Steelers |EIHL | 50 | 25 | 23 | 0 | 2815 | 150 | 1 | 2.20 | .898 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 120 | 10 | 0 | 5.12 | .853 |- |2019–20 |Nottingham Panthers |EIHL | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 2.91 | .900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |- |- |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2021 |Nottingham Panthers |Elite Series<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/991-2021-elite-series-confirmed-for-april-may|title = 2021 Elite Series confirmed for April–May!}}</ref> | 9 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 2.56 | .920 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |- |2021–22 |Belfast Giants |EIHL | 15 | 10 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 2.30 | .917 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |}

===International=== {| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:75%" |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | ! align="center" colspan="9" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" | Regular season ! align="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! W ! L ! T/OT ! MIN ! GA ! SO ! GAA ! SV% |- |2018 |Great Britain |WC D1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 4.26 | .889 |- bgcolor="#f0f0f0" |2019 |Great Britain |WC | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 91 | 9 | 0 | 5.89 | .848 |- |2021 |Great Britain |WC | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 5.13 | .874 |}

==Awards and honours== {| class="wikitable" ! Awards ! Year |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" |WHL |- | WHL Champion | 2014–15 |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" |EIHL |- | rowspan="2" |EIHL Champion |2021–22 | |- |2022–23 | |- |EIHL Playoffs Champion |2022–23 | |- | rowspan="4" | EIHL Challenge Cup | 2017–18 | |- |2021–22 | |- |2022–23 | |- |2024–25 | |- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" |International |- | rowspan="2" | IIHF World Championship Division I | 2018 |- |2023 |}

==References== {{Reflist|2}}

==External links== * {{Ice hockey stats}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Whistle, Jackson}} Category:1995 births Category:Living people Category:Belfast Giants players Category:British ice hockey goaltenders Category:Kelowna Rockets players Category:Sheffield Steelers players Category:Nottingham Panthers players Category:Ice hockey people from Kelowna Category:Vancouver Giants players Category:Canadian emigrants to the United Kingdom Category:Medallists at the 2011 Canada Winter Games