On Aug. 6, 2022, the Miami Sports Hall of Fame committee dedicated a sports case at the Miami Public Library to Brendan Bessee. This was the first case dedicated to the sport of ice hockey.
Brendan was born and raised in the Globe-Miami area and graduated from Miami High School in 2016.
Brendan began playing ice hockey at the age of five in the Phoenix valley, and he took to it very quickly and loved the sport of hockey. Brendan played travel hockey in the valley and went all over the country playing in games and tournaments. When he turned 15 years of age he was chosen to play Junior A hockey which is the top level of amateur hockey in the United States.
Brendan played Junior hockey from age 15 to 20 in Wenatchee, Washington, Whitefish and Helena, Montana and in Oklahoma City, and he would live with a billet family for 7-8 months and continue his education before returning home. After Junior hockey Brendan played for Grand Canyon University and continued his education.
Brendan was a reserve with the Globe Fire Department until being hired at Salt River Fire Department in January 2022. On April 8, 2022, while on duty and responding to a 911 call, Brendan suffered a fatal injury.
His love and talent for ice hockey will live on in Miami’s Hall of Fame.
The family of Brendan Bessee would like to thank the Miami Sports Hall of Fame committee, especially Joe Sanchez for making this dedication happen and Kathy Ryan of United Jewelry for donating the plaque for the case.
