Andrew Ference Gives Bruins’ Army Ranger Jacket to Matt Brown (Photos)

Andrew Ference is making it more and more difficult to see him move on, as the former Bruins defenseman continues to prove that his legacy in Boston will go far beyond his on-ice contributions. Ference signed with the Edmonton Oilers last week, ending his time with the Bruins. Over the course of that Boston career, Ference not only helped the Bruins win the Stanley Cup in 2011, but he became an active member in the community pitching in all over the city. Ference established himself as a leader on and off the ice. Those two roles met Thursday when the blue liner caught up with an old friend. Matt Brown, a former Norwood High School hockey player, was paralyzed from the waist down back in 2010, and his journey has been well documented. Along the way, he struck up a friendship with Ference, with the Boston blue liner even bringing the Stanley Cup to a Labor Day dinner with Brown and his family. So it only made sense that Brown would end up with one of the Bruins’ most notable trinkets, especially at the end of Ference’s time in Boston. Throughout the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, the B’s handed out an Army Rangers jacket to the player of the game in each win. Ference had gotten the jacket, and he was the one who ultimately gave it away one last time. On Thursday, he visited Brown and delivered the jacket to Brown. See photos of that interaction below, and click here to read more about Brown’s story and his relationship with the Bruins. @JFeitelberg @stoolpresidente this is why hockey player are some of the greatest people in the world. http://t.co/IAx5WIJ1V6— Matt Brown (@mjb_3) July 11, 2013 This jacket represents a lot of great things. I couldn’t think of a more worthy final recipient than you bud. @mjb_3 http://t.co/B9jCCImZE0— Andrew Ference (@Ferknuckle) July 11, 2013