Career
Known primarily as a defensive defenceman, Festerling began his major junior career with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League, initially appearing in three games in 2001-2002. He was the Americans" fifth overall choice in the 2001 WHL Bantam Draft. After breaking his wrist in his National Hockey League draft-eligible year, Festerling was traded midway through the 2004-2005 season to the Vancouver Giants, along with forward Ryan Costanzo, in exchange for forward Shaun Vey and defenceman Mike McDonald.
Festerling put up a major junior career-high 21 points in 70 games as captain.
However, the Giants were defeated in the WHL finals by the Medicine Hat Tigers in seven games. Undrafted by an National Hockey League team, Festerling was invited to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks" training camp in 2005 and was signed to a three-year entry level contract.
He posted 14 points in his first professional season. Festerling started the 2008-2009 season with the Iowa Chops.
When Ducks defenceman Francois Beauchemin was placed on the long-term injured reserve with a knee injury, Festerling was called up by Anaheim.
He played 40 games total in his National Hockey League rookie season, recording five assists. In the off-season, he was re-signed to a two-year contract on August 20, 2009. Festerling was sent down to the Ducks AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, on October 14, 2010.
After starting the 2010-2011 season with the Crunch he was later traded along with the Ducks" 2012 5th-round pick to the Montreal Canadiens for Maxim Lapierre on December 31, 2010.
He was then immediately assigned to the Canadiens AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. On February 28, 2011, Festerling was traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for goaltender Drew MacIntyre.
On July 23, 2012, Festerling signed with the Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers. In two seasons with Thomas Sabo, Festerling provided a physical defensive presence, totalling 20 points in 72 games.
The move re-united him with twin brother Garrett Festerling, who has played with Hamburg since 2010.