Edmonton Oilers defenseman Andrew Ference was the recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, which honors a player deemed to best exemplify leadership qualities both on and off the ice.
"We are all very proud and inspired by Andrew," said Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins. "Our Organization and the City of Edmonton are very fortunate to have him."
Ference has been a fixture in the Alberta capital's community since arriving last July as a free agent. He has worked with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, the November Project -- an initiative to get people of all ages involved in physical activities -- and the Hope Mission Shelter, which seeks to provide services for homeless or at-risk populations. Ference also leads his teammates in shopping for and taking Christmas presents to patients at the local children's hospital.
"You just make a choice to get involved," Ference said. "The calendar may get a little full, but it's all positive ... It's an extreme honor."
First presented following the 1987-88 season, Ference is the third member of the Oilers organization to be so honored with the Clancy. Kevin Lowe (1990) and Ethan Moreau (2009) had been previously selected.
He will be officially recognized at the 2014 NHL Awards ceremony in Las Vegas on June 24.
[SportsNetwork.com]
