The BC Hockey Hall of Fame (BCHHOF) announced that among this year’s inductees will be one of Quesnel’s minor hockey stars. Brett Festerling will be going into the Hall at a ceremony on July 21, as a member of the powerful 2007 Vancouver Giants.
”2007 was a special time for the Vancouver Giants organization, winning their first-ever Memorial Cup – all in front of their home fans. The team was stacked with talent including Evander Kane, Milan Lucic, Cody Franson, and captain Brett Festerling,” said the BCHHOF organizers in a written statement.
“Festerling was born in Prince George but grew up playing hockey in Quesnel. It was a special time in his life, especially during the cold winters of northern B.C., when he could play on the local outdoor rink.
“The defenseman started his junior career with the Quesnel Millionaires. From there he played for the Tri-City Americans before being traded to the Vancouver Giants during the 04/05 season. To general manager Scott Bonner, Festerling was a key part of the blue line for both the 2006 WHL Championship team and the 2007 Memorial Cup team.
“Now he’s excited to catch up with his old teammates in July during the induction ceremony and relive one of the best memories a hockey player can have.”
Festerling went on from his Memorial Cup WHL career to play for eight teams in the American Hockey League, between 2007 and 2012, with callups to the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks and Winnipeg Jets, getting into 88 games at the NHL level.
After that, he spent eight years in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey League, finishing in 2020.
Tickets are on sale for the BC Hockey Hall of Fame event which will see the Vancouver Giants 2007 team inducted. It will be held at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton.
