Whistle: Chance to play alongside brother ‘special’

Brandon Whistle has described the opportunity to suit up with his brother as ‘special’ after completing his move to the Belfast Giants.

“I know the kind of passion the Giants fanbase brings, and I can’t wait to be a part of that,” said Brandon Whistle. “The chance to play alongside my brother makes it even more special.”

The experienced forward’s move to Northern Ireland brings an end to his time with Sheffield Steelers, where he established himself as a firm fan favourite over the last five seasons.

Last year, Brandon posted 45 total points across all competitions, showcasing his attacking prowess and eye for goal across the Challenge Cup, Elite Ice Hockey League, and Champions Hockey League.

The 27-year-old grand slam winner is also expected to bring physicality and versatility to Belfast’s forward lines, offering head coach Adam Keefe valuable depth throughout the roster.

“Brandon is a player who plays the game the right way,” said Giants head coach Adam Keefe.

“He’s physical, he’s smart, and he battles hard every shift. On top of that, bringing in a guy who already has great character and a connection to our club through his father and brother made this a no-brainer.”

The siblings’ father David famously led the Giants to their first major title in 2002, winning the regular season championship by an eye-watering 21 points in only his second season in charge.

Jackson’s return to the SSE Arena for his seventh season was also hailed as a ‘massive piece of the puzzle’ by Keefe. The Giants stalwart joined the club in 2016 and posted a .928% save percentage last season, leading to him being named MVP.

The Whistle brothers will look to continue their family’s winning legacy when the new season begins.