Coach Dallas Eakins named his captain today, via twitter I might add, and the player named was Andrew Ference.
Andrew Ference will UNITE us. 14th Captain in Edmonton Oiler History. pic.twitter.com/o8m2loQDoR
— Dallas Eakins (@dallaseakins) September 29, 2013
Ference signed with the Oilers as a free agent this off season after spending his last 6.5 seasons with the Boston Bruins. Ference knows what it takes to win, playing in two Stanley Cup finals and winning one. He should be more than capable of imparting his knowledge on the other players and holding the players accountable.
This will be seen by most as a bridge captain for the Oilers while the young guns mature a little longer. Ference is in Edmonton for at least the next 3 4 years which will bring him to 37 38 years old, and at the end of his contract one of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle or another of the younger core will likely take the reins.
Something else that should be mentioned is; Ference is a local product. The Oilers haven’t had a captain from the local area since Mark Messier. He’s been quick to get a large fan following since he’s signed here, being very involved and interactive in the area with events line the November Project.
Some fun with numbers; Ference becomes the 14th Captain in Oilers history, The Oilers haven’t made the playoffs since ’06 its now 2013 (7 years), and the number he wears is 21. Does this mean anything? No. But I’m hopeful and will use any excuse I can to call the Oilers in the playoffs this season.
I like this move, Ference seems to have every quality needed to make a good NHL captain, and I think this will help the team be successful in the long run. Here’s to Captain number 14!
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