Former Powell River Kings goaltender Michael Garteig enjoyed his weekend after the excitement of signing a one-year, entry-level contract with Vancouver Canucks on Friday, April 29.
“It’s kind of surreal that I get to sign with my hometown team,” said Garteig. “I don’t know if it’s quite sunk in yet.”
Garteig, a 24-year-old native of Prince George, played two seasons with the Kings from 2009 to 2011. He won the BC Hockey League’s top goaltender award both years.
“I was very lucky to have been on the Powell River team that I played for,” he said. “We had a lot of success and fell short in the final two years in a row, which was unfortunate.”
Kings lost to Vernon Vipers in the league finals in each of Garteig’s seasons with the club.
“I’m very thankful for everything in Powell River,” he said. “The community was unbelievable, my billets were amazing, and the coaches and teammates I played with helped me to get where I am today. It was a fun ride; I have very fond memories of Powell River.”
Garteig is currently completing his masters-postgraduate degree in business at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut.
Garteig led Quinnipiac Bobcats to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) final last month. Bobcats came up short, losing the championship game 5-1 to North Dakota. Garteig’s record of 32 wins in 43 games topped all NCAA goaltenders.
