When the Edmonton Oilers signed Ference as a free agent in July 2013, they knew they were adding experience and leadership to their locker room.
The 5-foot-11, 182-pound defenseman from the Edmonton suburb of Sherwood Park was known as a gritty, smart, complementary defenseman. He had been a key component on the Boston Bruins when they won the Stanley Cup in 2011 and went back to the Final in 2013.
When the Edmonton Oilers signed Ference as a free agent in July 2013, they knew they were adding experience and leadership to their locker room.
The 5-foot-11, 182-pound defenseman from the Edmonton suburb of Sherwood Park was known as a gritty, smart, complementary defenseman. He had been a key component on the Boston Bruins when they won the Stanley Cup in 2011 and went back to the Final in 2013.
As such, he brought the discipline and professionalism of a champion to the Oilers. It was no surprise when Ference was named the 14th captain in Oilers history on Sept. 29, 2013, in recognition of his skills as a leader on and off the ice and his role as a team representative in the community.
Before he was named captain, Ference had introduced the November Project, a popular mass fitness initiative, to Edmonton.
With the Bruins, Ference, based on conversations he had with Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki, started the NHL Players' Association's Carbon Neutral Challenge, an initiative designed to offset the emissions produced by their frequent air travel.
In June 2014, Ference marched in Edmonton's Pride Parade in support of the LGBTQ community. That year Ference won the King Clancy Trophy for displaying leadership qualities on and off the ice and making humanitarian contributions in the community.
Before the 2015-16 season, Ference relinquished the captaincy when the Oilers, transitioning to a younger leadership group, opted to use four alternate captains, including Ference.
