The Canadian Press
Andrew Ference may be an activist, an environmentalist and someone brimming with political opinion. But the Boston Bruins' defenceman wasn't about to turn down a visit to the White House a la teammate Tim Thomas, who skipped the Stanley Cup champion's Monday session with U.S. president Obama.
While Thomas had informed team officials months ago he wouldn't be attending the traditional champions' salute at the White House, Ference was happily in the mix to accept the president's accolades on a job well done.
According to the Edmonton-born Ference, who has worked with environmentalist David Suzuki, Monday's visit was for fun, nothing more.
"It was great. Obviously, for most of us, we wanted to do it," said Ference. "We all lined up to meet the president. It wasn't a political visit. It was a meet and greet and it was a great honour. All the guys who wanted to be there had a great time."
Asked about Thomas's decision not to attend, Ference replied: "It doesn't represent us. We all have our views but we wanted to go and be a part of it. (Thomas) can make his own decision. The rest of us were excited and happy to be there. It was very cool."