The B.C. Major Midget League’s Okanagan Rockets have added David Whistle to their coaching staff.
Whistle will serve as an assistant to new Rockets head coach, Mark O’Rourke.
Whistle played in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers and the Brandon Wheat Kings before attending Brandon University and playing with their team for four years. His career then saw him play professionally in Europe for seven years. David was recently inducted into the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.
After the completion of his playing career, he was the head coach of the Port Alberni Bulldogs in the BCHL and the GM/head coach for various teams in Europe for nine years. David coached in both the Super League and Elite League, and captured both league and European Cup championships.
After being coach of the year twice, David was appointed assistant coach of Great Britain’s national team. He has developed players from across the UK, Europe and North America to Colleges and Universities, the CHL, AHL, and the NHL.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to join the Okanagan Rockets and work with Mack O’Rourke,” said Whistle. “He’s a great young coach and it will be enjoyable to work with him in the development of this years team.”
Rockets general manager David Michaud on the appointment of Whistle to the staff.
“Dave is a proven developer of talent not only in the Okanagan, but around the world. Adding him to our staff is a tremendous gain for our program and our players who will have the opportunity to learn from one of the best. With Mack and Dave at the helm, I’m incredibly happy with our staff heading into the 2013-2014 season.”
The Rockets will host their annual evaluation camp Aug. 8 to 11 at the Capital News Centre in Kelowna.
