Andrew Ference facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Andrew Ference |
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Ference with the Edmonton Oilers in February 2014
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| Born | March 17, 1979 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | |||||||||||||||
| Weight | 184 lb (83 kg; 13 st 2 lb) | |||||||||||||||
| Position | Defence | |||||||||||||||
| Shot | Left | |||||||||||||||
| Played for | Pittsburgh Penguins Calgary Flames HC České Budějovice Boston Bruins Edmonton Oilers |
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| NHL Draft | 208th overall, 1997 Pittsburgh Penguins |
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| Playing career | 1999–2015 | |||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Andrew James Stewart Ference (born March 17, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a defenseman in the NHL for many years. Andrew Ference played for teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, Boston Bruins, and Edmonton Oilers. In 2011, he helped the Boston Bruins win the famous Stanley Cup championship. Andrew was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and grew up nearby in Sherwood Park, Alberta.
Contents
Andrew Ference's Hockey Journey
Starting in the WHL and Joining the Penguins
Andrew Ference began his hockey journey in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He played for the Portland Winterhawks. After two seasons, the Pittsburgh Penguins picked him in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He was chosen 208th overall, which is quite late in the draft.
Even though he wasn't highly ranked, Andrew believed in himself. He even sent letters to every NHL general manager. In these letters, he explained why he thought he could play in the NHL. He also included test results from the University of Alberta to show his skills.
Andrew played two more seasons with Portland. Then, he briefly played in another league called the International Hockey League (IHL). He finally joined the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1999.
First NHL Games and Early Career
Andrew Ference played his first NHL game on October 1, 1999, against the Dallas Stars. About a month later, on November 13, 1999, he scored his first NHL goal against the Nashville Predators.
During his first year, he split his time between the Penguins and their minor league team. This team was the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played 30 NHL games and 44 AHL games that season.
Andrew continued to play for both teams the next season. In 2001, he played in his first NHL playoffs with Pittsburgh. He played 18 games and scored 10 points. The Penguins were eventually eliminated by the New Jersey Devils. By his third NHL season, Andrew became a full-time NHL player.
Playing for the Calgary Flames
In February 2003, Andrew Ference was traded to the Calgary Flames. He played 16 games for them that season. The next year, he played 72 games and scored 16 points.
The Flames made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals that year! They played against the Tampa Bay Lightning but lost in the final series.
Time During the NHL Lockout
The 2004–05 NHL season was canceled because of a player lockout. During this time, Andrew Ference went to play hockey in the Czech Republic. He played for a team called HC České Budějovice.
When the NHL started playing again, Andrew returned to the Flames. He played all 82 games of the season. This was the first time he played every game in a season. He scored a career-high 31 points that year.
Winning the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins
In February 2007, Andrew was traded to the Boston Bruins. He played well for the Bruins, scoring 16 points in the 2008–09 NHL season. In March 2010, he signed a new three-year contract with the team.
During the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Andrew scored an important goal. Some of his teammates later said this moment was a turning point for the team. On June 15, 2011, Andrew Ference and the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup! They beat the Vancouver Canucks in Game 7 of the finals.
In the 2011–12 NHL season, Andrew scored six goals, which was his personal best. He was also named an alternate captain for the team.
Becoming Captain of the Edmonton Oilers
On July 5, 2013, Andrew Ference signed a four-year contract with his hometown team, the Edmonton Oilers. On September 29, he was named the 14th captain in the Oilers' history.
After being captain for two seasons, Andrew became an alternate captain in October 2015. He played only six games in the 2015–16 NHL season because he needed hip surgery.
Andrew Ference announced his retirement from hockey on September 16, 2016. He had played for 16 seasons in the NHL.
Life After Hockey
After retiring from playing, Andrew Ference joined the NHL in 2018. He became the first Director of Social Impact, Growth and Fan Development. His job is to help grow hockey at a local level. He also works to involve more fans and players from different backgrounds.
In 2023, Andrew was named one of the top 100 Bruins players of all time.
Andrew Ference's Personal Life
Family Life
Andrew Ference married Krista Bradford in 2002. Krista used to be a professional snowboarder. They have two daughters together.
Caring for the Environment
Andrew Ference is very passionate about the environment. He worked with environmentalist David Suzuki. This led him to create a program for the NHL to help the environment.
This program helps over 500 players buy carbon offset credits. These credits help balance out the environmental impact of professional sports.
In February 2012, National Geographic started a web series about Andrew. It was called "Beyond the Puck." The series showed his life as an NHL player and his work as an "eco-warrior."
Stanley Cup Parade Fun
After the Bruins won the Stanley Cup in 2011, Andrew Ference organized a special parade. It was a fun event in Boston's North End, where he lived.
Andrew brought the Stanley Cup to a hospital on a bike trailer. Then, he brought it to the North End. The Cup was carried on a platform by his friends and family. They paraded through the North End, stopping at local shops. A marching band, the Boston Bruins Ice Girls, and the team mascot, Blades, joined them. Hundreds of fans also came to celebrate. The parade ended with a dancing flash mob!
Other Interests
Andrew Ference is a fan of the English Premier League football club Arsenal F.C.. He is also a member of the November Project, a popular workout group in Boston and Edmonton.
Career Statistics
Regular Season and Playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1994–95 | Portland Winter Hawks | WHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Portland Winter Hawks | WHL | 72 | 9 | 31 | 40 | 159 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 12 | ||
| 1996–97 | Portland Winter Hawks | WHL | 72 | 12 | 32 | 44 | 163 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | ||
| 1997–98 | Portland Winter Hawks | WHL | 72 | 11 | 57 | 68 | 142 | 16 | 2 | 18 | 20 | 28 | ||
| 1998–99 | Portland Winter Hawks | WHL | 40 | 11 | 21 | 32 | 104 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | ||
| 1998–99 | Kansas City Blades | IHL | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1999–00 | Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 44 | 8 | 20 | 28 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 30 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 43 | 6 | 18 | 24 | 95 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 | ||
| 2000–01 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 36 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 28 | 18 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 16 | ||
| 2001–02 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 75 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 22 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 16 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 72 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 53 | 26 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 25 | ||
| 2004–05 | HC České Budějovice | CZE | 19 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 45 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 82 | 4 | 27 | 31 | 85 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 12 | ||
| 2006–07 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 54 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 26 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 31 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 59 | 1 | 14 | 15 | 50 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2008–09 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 47 | 1 | 15 | 16 | 40 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 2009–10 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 51 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 18 | ||
| 2010–11 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 70 | 3 | 12 | 15 | 60 | 25 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 37 | ||
| 2011–12 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 72 | 6 | 18 | 24 | 46 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13 | HC Mountfield | CZE | 21 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2012–13 | Boston Bruins | NHL | 48 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 35 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2013–14 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 71 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 63 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 70 | 3 | 11 | 14 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2015–16 | Edmonton Oilers | NHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 907 | 43 | 182 | 225 | 753 | 120 | 8 | 30 | 38 | 122 | ||||
International Play
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Canada | WJC |  |
7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| Junior totals | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||||
Awards and Honors
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| WHL | ||
| Memorial Cup Champion (Portland Winter Hawks) | 1998 | |
| First All-Star Team (West) | 1997–98 | |
| Plus-Minus Award | 1997–98 | |
| Second All-Star Team (West) | 1998–99 | |
| Humanitarian of the Year (Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy) | 1998–99 | |
| Inducted into Portland Winter Hawks Hall of Fame | 2018 | |
| AHL | ||
| AHL All-Star Game | 2001 | |
| NHL | ||
| Stanley Cup (Boston Bruins) | 2011 | |
| King Clancy Memorial Trophy | 2014 | |
