Andrew Ference Gives Up Edmonton Oilers Captaincy
By Kurt Leavins
The Edmonton Oilers have named four Alternate captains for the 2015-16, including former Captain Andrew Ference, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
General Manager Peter Chiarelli made the announcement from the Edmonton Oilers practice facility in Leduc this morning. The G.M. says discussions have been ongoing since Summer, and were initiated both by Andrew Ference and new Head Coach Todd McLellan. McLellan says there will be nights where Matt Hendricks also joins the group, to ensure that there are always 3 “A”‘s on the ice at all times. That’s particularly important at this point in time, since Jordan Eberle is on the I.R. right now and not able to wear his just yet.
The decision helps all involved avoid the uncomfortable situation of a Team Captain being in the press box. Andrew Ference, while still a valuable member of the team, is more likely to play a 6-7-8 role on the Oilers this season. As such, it makes good sense to “spread the leadership around”.
Ference: “I’ve always thought that the best leaders have to be a good person and have to have their life figured out. That comes with some maturity and time. But the best leaders have that, and they’re the best players on the team. I’ve never tried to kid myself that I was one of the best players. But I thought that mentoring people on the off-ice issues, on the working hard and putting the lifestyle choices in to extend your career and make yourself the best you can be for your team, those issues I feel I can really help on”.
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A few notables here:
-The Edmonton Oilers could have named a new Captain. But they do not have a clear-cut candidate at this point. And according to me, at least, that is not a decision you should rush into. Besides, Todd Mclellan is brand-new to most of these players. Giving him a chance to get to know them all better is a good idea.
-It is a classy move by the club to not remove Andrew Ference from the visible leadership group of the team. He is a true pro who has worn the “C” through two of the most difficult years in the history of the franchise. He conducts himself at the highest level, on-and-off the ice.
-This puts the future leadership of the Edmonton Oilers squarely on the shoulders of the young core. If this team is to succeed in the next few years, in is this group of young veterans that will need to be front and center. This is a great way to ease them all into it.
-If Matt Hendricks were younger, he might be an excellent candidate for the captaincy. But while a very god NHL-er right now, Hendricks is not all that far away from the Ference situation himself. As such, it (again) makes good sense to have him an an “alternate Alternate”, if you will.
There will be some that would have put the “C” on the jersey of Connor McDavid. In fact, that suggestion is filling my timeline as I write this. Yeah. Yeah, THAT would be a great idea, because y’know…he isn’t under nearly enough pressure already. Seriously, if you are one of these people, give your head a good, HARD shake.
Post-script: The Edmonton Oilers are blessed that their out-going Captain has the make-up of Andrew Ference. Otherwise, this could be an un-needed distraction. Instead, expect the transition to be somewhere between smooth and seamless.
Finally, Thank you, Captain, for your service. May the wind continue to fill your sails.