Petr Čech Transitions to Hockey: From Soccer Star to Ice Goalkeeper

For the Canadian native, soccer occasions remained considerably exterior his sphere of consideration. “I did not know he was that well-known in Britain earlier than he got here right here, however all over the place he went he was stopped. Right here within the Czech Republic, I totally understood how well-known he’s. We stayed in contact, he even got here to look at us within the playoffs, he is an excellent boy,” Whistle instructed ČTK about Cech, who after the tip of his soccer profession started his dream of changing into ‘ catch a hockey aim.

Final November, Petr Čech even began within the British hockey league. For the defending champions Belfast Giants, the place he got here to assistance from second division Oxford Metropolis Star when Whistle was injured, he performed lower than 5 minutes on the finish of the sport in opposition to Glasgow Clan.

The 2012 Champions League winner began for Chelsea instead, however at 5-1 the followers known as for a late aim. “It wasn’t unhealthy in any respect from him. He is actually huge, he follows the puck properly. Everybody noticed how good a hockey participant might be if he hadn’t chosen one other sport. We talked rather a lot concerning the psychological side, which he has discovered properly from soccer,” the British goalkeeper returned to Čech’s particular efficiency in an interview for ČTK.

Event matches in Prague are a singular expertise for Whistle. “The environment within the subject is superb. I am wanting ahead to Saturday’s recreation with the house staff, it will likely be offered out,” he stated. However the British are nonetheless with no level after 4 duels, so they won’t return to the IA division after yr, they may have the chance to take away the zero on their account within the desk in opposition to Norway and Austria after the duel with the Czech Republic.

“We’re studying amongst the very elite all through the competitors. We’ve got to maneuver on, attempt to enhance on daily basis,” stated Whistle, who bought to know his teammates in Prague because of striker Liam Kirk, who performed within the non-league Litvínov. “We had the chance to stroll round this excellent metropolis, we noticed sights and we actually preferred it right here,” he stated.