Ference for Cassidy plan
Andrew Ference brought the Stanley Cup back to Boston. Again.
The former Bruins defenseman was in town on Tuesday conducting NHL business and promoting the upcoming playoffs, part of his role as the NHL’s Director of Social Impact, Growth and Fun Development.
“It is funny how it all works out,” said the veteran of four NHL teams, “and even growing up when I tell kids it wasn’t really my goal to play in the NHL, it was not the reason I played hockey.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins changed Ference’s perspective when they drafted him in the eighth round (208th overall) in 1997.
Ference made runs at the Cup with Pittsburgh and Calgary before hoisting hockey’s Holy Grail with the Bruins in 2011. Ference went to Edmonton, serving as team captain, before retiring after 16 seasons last year.
“I had more of a career that I ever could have asked,” said Ference, “but I also did a lot like go back to school to set myself up to do something after I stopped playing and it has worked out.
“I work with amazing people and I get to come to Boston with the Cup. I’m a lucky guy for sure.”
Ference, Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron were the building blocks that general manager Peter Chiarelli and coach Claude Julien employed to build a Cup contender. Supplemented with the likes of Brad Marchand, David Krejci, Adam McQuaid and Tim Thomas, the disappointment of squandering a 3-0 lead to Philadelphia in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals was fuel for a championship run.
“There was no second guessing in our approach and when the coach would call a meeting to discuss the game plan there was no second guessing,” said Ference.
“Zdeno would stand up and give some harsh criticism or some not so harsh criticisms and we all bought in. That was real thing that stood out that year. We were all tuned in with what needed to be done.”
Ference thrived under Julien’s system, but he understands and appreciates new GM Don Sweeney’s break with the past. Sweeney has, through trades, free agency and the draft, assembled a roster of faster stick savvy forwards like David Pastrnak, Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk and puck moving defensemen like Matt ßGrzelcyk, Brandon Carlo and
Nick Holden.
Coach Bruce Cassidy and Sweeney are of the same mindset when it comes to where the team is now and where it will be in the future. Cassidy prefers a breakout transition style and allows his defensemen to take calculated risks in the offensive zone.
The system took hold back in December and the Bruins have emerged as a force in the Eastern Division on par with Tampa Bay, Washington, Toronto and the reigning champion Penguins.
“I get to watch a lot of games and the B’s are on my TV a lot,” said Ference. “They have been playing incredible. They have been playing with confidence, and the young guys that have come in, you can see their confidence and their wings aren’t clipped.
“They have been given the room to run and try and not be afraid to take a little risk and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. So many young guys come in the league and play with trepidation and play it safe but you put a governor on yourself.
“You can see the confidence he (Cassidy) has instilled in his young players to go and play. You can see that in their play while they still have that core leadership that keeps the winning atmosphere and attitude in the room.”