Andrew Ference remembers trying to get drafted

[Kolbe31]

I think everyone is 'over' the Stempniak thing, but right or wrong, it's something that's fresh in all our minds when Ference is brought up. I always thought he was heavily overrated by Flames fans (maybe because of his involvement here), and was ecstatic when he (and Kobasew) were traded. So for me, he didn't leave a legacy of solid defensive play, or anything positive hockey-related.

When I think of Ference, I'm reminded of the happiness I felt in my heart when he was traded, and the hate in my heart when he jumped Stempniak.

I don't like him.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Ference never touched the puck before being hit by Stempniak.

I can see why he didn't like the hit.

"hit"? seriously? Stempniak's "hit" on Ference resembles a "shoulder charge" in soccer which is a legal play in a sport that does not allow hitting.

If you're trying to suggest (which you seem to be) that it somehow justifies Ference's actual dirty play then you're wrong. What Stempniak did wasn't dirty, and wasn't interference. Ference was being a whiny little you know what.

Good troll though, I bit.

[Jacks]

This thread is comical. Ference may have been a decent soldier for us a decade ago but these days he's an overpaid pylon, one of the worst captains in the league and a spot picker who likes to play tough guy when he knows he can win a fight. Stempniak threw a clean hit and was assaulted afterwards. Justice would have been served if Gratz had grabbed that twerp by the neck and ragdolled him a bit but Gratz has class and Ference doesn't.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by Jacks

This thread is comical. Ference may have been a decent soldier for us a decade ago but these days he's an overpaid pylon, one of the worst captains in the league and a spot picker who likes to play tough guy when he knows he can win a fight. Stempniak threw a clean hit and was assaulted afterwards. Justice would have been served if Gratz had grabbed that twerp by the neck and ragdolled him a bit but Gratz has class and Ference doesn't.

An overpaid pylon? Maybe, but not quite. He's a serviceable 5-6 guy on a team with above average depth. Besides that, it's not the Flames' problem, and really should have no impact on anyone outside of the Edmonton Oilers organization and fan base.

One of the worst captains in the league? No way to really tell. I don't know what goes on in the locker room, nor do I know Ference personally, but every interpretation I have gotten from him on the ice, in interviews, and through his community involvement say he is qualified to be in a leadership role. Add all that to his tenure and playoff experience.

Spot picker? Again I ask, apart from this trivial altercation with Stempniak where is proof of this? Also again, legitimate question that I would be open to hearing about that may change my mind.

Ference's legacy, through some Flames fans minds, has come down to this single play in a BOA game during the regular season. It's tragic and incredibly short sighted.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Yamer

An overpaid pylon? Maybe, but not quite. He's a serviceable 5-6 guy on a team with above average depth. Besides that, it's not the Flames' problem, and really should have no impact on anyone outside of the Edmonton Oilers organization and fan base.

Well I guess that's a matter of opinion but I think most people would agree that he is overpaid and not a very good defenceman at this point in his career.

Originally Posted by Yamer

One of the worst captains in the league? No way to really tell. I don't know what goes on in the locker room, nor do I know Ference personally, but every interpretation I have gotten from him on the ice, in interviews, and through his community involvement say he is qualified to be in a leadership role. Add all that to his tenure and playoff experience.

That team has been a mess for years with a bunch of entitled underachievers. While that isn't entirely his fault the captain has to have some responsibility for the effort his team gives. You pick which captains he is better than.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...rnate_captains

Originally Posted by Yamer

Spot picker? Again I ask, apart from this trivial altercation with Stempniak where is proof of this? Also again, legitimate question that I would be open to hearing about that may change my mind

Just look at his fights the last few years.
http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/488
With the exception of Bieksa he is usually attacking a guy who has no interest in fighting and he has a habit of throwing punches when the other guy still has his gloves on and is trying to push him away.

Originally Posted by Yamer

Ference's legacy, through some Flames fans minds, has come down to this single play in a BOA game during the regular season. It's tragic and incredibly short sighted.

He's also a repeat offender for giving head shots and boarding from behind. You don't have to love every player that wore the flaming C at one point. Anyway I'm done, I don't like him and I can't see changing that opinion any time soon.

[saillias]

Instigator
Instigator
Roughing
Roughing
etc.

He jumps the other guy in every. fight.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Jacks

This thread is comical. Ference may have been a decent soldier for us a decade ago but these days he's an overpaid pylon, one of the worst captains in the league and a spot picker who likes to play tough guy when he knows he can win a fight. Stempniak threw a clean hit and was assaulted afterwards. Justice would have been served if Gratz had grabbed that twerp by the neck and ragdolled him a bit but Gratz has class and Ference doesn't.

Spot picker?

His fight card includes:

David Backes
Anthony Steward
Adam Burish
Travis Moen
Sean Avery
Scott Hartnell
Scott Nichol
Matt Barnaby
Kevin Bieksa

All guys who are noted fighters or have a significant size advantage over him.

Sure he's fought some guys who don't fight much like Crosby and Stillman but there are unique circumstances there. Crosby was looking for it and the Stillman fight was a Flames induced brawl in the finals if i recall, things that the 2004 Flames were famous for, bullying was part of their identity.

I mean even Iggy fought some non fighters before, see Adam Henrique. Does that make Iggy a spot picker?

[ricardodw]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Just look at his fights the last few years.
http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/488
With the exception of Bieksa he is usually attacking a guy who has no interest in fighting and he has a habit of throwing punches when the other guy still has his gloves on and is trying to push him away.

5 fights in the last 5 years and only one against a guy that makes an extra Million or so because he fights. ie It is not like Ference is or was a fighter.

Take a peak at Ference spanking Stillman in the 2004 SCF game 2. They were holding on at the of a scrum with 14 minutes left in the 3rd period with Tampa leading 3-0. Stillman makes the mistake of dropping his gloves, BUT unlike Stempniak hangs on enough to protect himself and comes out of it intact.

What a violent game it was in 2004... Simon cross checks a guy in the back in the middle of his slap shot wind-up.... then Tampa's Modin has the nerve to stand in the crease near Kipper and Clark buries him with flying cross check.

There was more hitting in that meaningless 30 seconds than the whole of the Flames 2012-13 season.

Someone does what Simon did would be looking at a multi-game suspension in 2014-15


Flames won the next game 3-0.

[aaronck]

I'll love him forever for his goal, and salute to the Habs fans, on the way to the cup in 2011...not sure if it needs to be spoilered but...

Spoiler!