 Known primarily as a defensive defenceman, Festerling began his major junior career with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League (WHL), initially appearing in three games in 2001–02.He was the Americans' fifth overall pick in the 2001 WHL Bantam Draft.After breaking his wrist in his NHL draft-eligible year, Festerling was traded midway through the 2004–05 season to the Vancouver Giants (along with forward Ryan Costanzo) in exchange for forward Shaun Vey and defenceman Mike McDonald.