But until yesterday, no player had shepherded the Cup in Boston.
Ference had his options. The defenseman was born in Edmonton. His offseason home is in Vernon, British Columbia. Ference has known Boston only since February of 2007, when he arrived from Calgary along with Chuck Kobasew in a trade for Brad Stuart, Wayne Primeau, and a draft pick.
But after four years of living in the North End, Ference has learned that Boston is another place he can call home. He has been a spokesman for the MBTA. He often rides his bike to and from TD Garden. His shopping ranges from organic vegetables at Whole Foods on Cambridge Street to fresh pasta at Monica’s to coffee at Polcari’s.
“With the kids going to school here and us being in our community, we have more friends here than we do in any other city,’’ said Ference. “It’s really special to do it here and celebrate with people that have been waiting a long time. It makes it really great.’’
With approximately 50 friends and relatives in town, having traveled from Western Canada, Ference and his family celebrated his day with the Cup. One of his first stops was at the downtown preschool that older daughter Ava once attended and where Stella will be a student.
After that, Ference brought the Cup to Spaulding, just around the corner from the Garden. Since his landing via Calgary, Ference has been visiting Spaulding; he cited its adaptive sports program - patients participate in activities such as kayaking and wall climbing - as something that has inspired him upon his visits.
After unbuckling his green helmet, prying the Cup out of the trailer, and placing his bike on its side in front of the hospital, Ference brought the trophy up the stairs. Two of his first greeters were Dick and Rick Hoyt.
“Good to see this thing, huh? You’ve been waiting a while,’’ Ference said to the Hoyts, his fingers curled around the Cup. “I’d shake your hand. But this thing is heavy.’’
