Oilers announce retirement of Andrew Ference

Edmonton Oilers Andrew Ference, left, is chased by Matt Hendricks during training camp in Leduc, Alta., on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

The Edmonton Oilers announced Thursday that defenceman Andrew Ference was retiring from the NHL, after 16 seasons in the league.

Ference, 38, has played for the last four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, where he served as captain from 2013 to 2015.

In his time with the Oilers, he played in 147 games, recording 32 points (six goals, 26 assists) and 108 penalty minutes.

In his 16 seasons, he played on four NHL teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, the Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins, and finally the Edmonton Oilers – he was selected by the Penguins in the eighth round, 28^th overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

He played a total of 907 career NHL games, and accumulated a total of 225 points (43 goals and 182 assists), and 735 penalty minutes – in addition he also played 120 playoff games, with 38 points (8 goals and 30 assists) and 122 penalty minutes. He was with the Boston Bruins when they won the Stanley Cup in 2011.

“As I graduate from my time playing in the NHL, I realize I have the problem of being unable to properly thank the hundreds of people who have helped me achieve my goal of playing in the best league in the world,” Ference said in a statement. “No one gets here on their own, especially average-sized guys with average skills. If you think you deserve a thank you from me, you probably do…Thanks!”

Ference hails from Sherwood Park, and he played with the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks, where he led the team to a Memorial Cup championship in 1998, he also represented Canada at the 1999 World Junior Hockey Championship.

Ference currently lives in Edmonton with his wife Krista, and daughters Ava and Stella.