Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Andrew Ference (Boston Bruins)

This week's eye candy is a former Pittsburgh Penguin!! His FULL NAME is Andrew James Stewart Ference. He was drafted by Pittsburgh in the 1997 draft as their 8th pick (208th overall); he continued to play in the minors through his NHL debut in 1999 and was with the Penguins organization until he was traded to Calgary in February 2003. He currently plays for the Boston Bruins where he serves as one of the alternate captains where Calgary traded him to in February 2007. Another Pittsburgh connection (not as pleasant) -- he was the opponent in Sidney's first NHL fight on December 20, 2007.

HOCKEY FACTOR:

• defenseman
• shoots left
• played for the Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
• named to 1998 WHL West First All-Star Team
• named to 1999 WHL West Second All-Star Team
• represented Canada in the 1999 Ice Hockey World Championships
• missed a majority of the 2002-2003 recovering from a groin and ankle injuries
• during the 2004-2005 NHL lock-out, he played in the Czech Republic for the HC Ceske Budejovice

HOTNESS FACTOR:
Ference married his wife, Krista, in 2002 and has two daughters, Ava and Stella who was born this past March (Stella Haliday James Ference) on the same day as fellow Bruin, Aaron Ward's daughter. He has a tribute to his daughter Ava tattooed on his back of her name in flowering letters; he left room to honor Stella as well, but has to wait until the end of the season to get one due to "issues with in-season healing."

“Having a child and coming home to your kid puts everything in perspective. You won’t get too high after a win or too low from a loss, but it’s a good relief either way from the daily grind of the game. When you come home to your child, nothing else really matters. It’s good. Makes you grow up.

Andrew is involved in many charities involving kids and the environment. He's actively involved in the NHLPA Carbon Neutral Challenge and is a strong advocate for green living. "He walks or bikes to work every day, encourages the use of public transit and eats organic food for pre and post-game meals." It was recently reported by the Boston Herald that Ference will be donating half of his NHL playoff bonus to the New England Grass Roots Environment Fund's Boston Grant Initiative (and the further they go into the playoffs, the more he'll donate!). Another charity close to Andrew's heart is "Right to Play" which creates a healthier and safer world for children through the power of sport and play.