Former Oilers captain Andrew Ference announces retirement

Edmonton Oilers defenceman Andrew Ferenceisretiringafter 16 seasons in the National Hockey League.

In a news release Thursday, Ference said he regrets not being able to properly thankthe hundreds of people who helped him to play in the NHL.

"No one gets here on their own, especially average-sized guys with average skills," he said.

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Ference said his wife, Krista Bradford, and daughtersAva and Stella deserve a proper thanks and hisinfinite gratitude.

"They tended my broken bones and bruised ego more times than I can count and gave me unending love and support even when I missed a Christmas concert for a road trip," he said.

Ferenceis well-respected in Edmonton for his off-ice work supporting various causes, including the LGBTQ community and environmental issues.

Proud ofwork in community

"My parents and sister didn't teach me a lick about skating or shooting, but they did teach me a ton about life off of the ice," he said.

"Because of their lessons, I leave the game having a lot of pride in what I accomplished away from the rink in the great communities where I played."

Ference, 38, spent the past four seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, servingas captain from 2013 until 2015.

He has not played due to injuries in nearlytwo years, undergoing season-ending hip surgery after playing in just six games of the 201516 season.

Ference, who isfromSherwood Park, played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League with thePortlandWinterhawks, leading the teamto a Memorial Cup championship in 1998.

He was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the eighth round in the 1997 NHL entry draft and playedinPittsburgh, Calgary andBostonbefore coming to Edmonton.

He was part of the Bruins' Stanley Cup-winning teamin 2011.

Ference also represented Canada at the 1999 World Junior Hockey Championship.