Edmonton Oilers’ Andrew Ference likely to retire after season if bought out: report

EDMONTON – Andrew Ference is reportedly ready to step away from the NHL if the Edmonton Oilers buy out his contract at the end of the season.

According to an ESPN report, Ference said he’ll likely retire if his contract is bought out.

The 36-year-old defenceman’s season came to an end in January after he was placed on injured reserve as he awaited hip surgery to repair a torn labrum. He’s only played in six games this season.

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Ference signed a four-year deal with the Oilers as a free agent in the summer of 2013. He has one year left on his deal, with a cap hit of $3.25 million.

He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the eighth round in the 1997 NHL draft, and also played for the Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2011.

Ference has 43 goals and 182 assists in 907 NHL games.