Andrew Ference could become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but he hopes to re-sign with the Boston Bruins. "There's a lot invested emotionally into this team," Ference said. "We've accomplished a lot. Beyond that, the city is obviously home for us and our family. So it weighs heavily to know where things are at. The team has their numbers with what their budget is. They probably have a good idea of where I'm at. It's a matter of me waiting patiently, I guess." Negotiations haven't started yet, but the Bruins are thought to be interested in retaining the long-serving defenseman. Ference has been with the team since part of the 2006-07 campaign when was acquired from Calgary.

Andrew Ference was among the players present for the announcement that a deal had been reached to end the NHL lockout and shortly after he apologized for the work stoppage on his Twitter account. "As players we can now do what we do best. Proudly pull on our jerseys and play with complete passion for our cities and fans. I hope that we can replace the intense negativity brought on our sport with a reminder of how great it can be when the action is on the ice," he wrote. "From my grandparents to our B's fans, I am deeply sorry that we had to miss so much hockey. All we can do now is play our hearts out for you." Ference skated in 21 games with HC Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Extraliga during the lockout, where he recorded seven points and a plus-3 rating.

Andrew Ference has decided to return to North America for the time being. Ference had two goals and seven points in 21 Czech games with Ceske Budejovice HC. It remains to be seen if he'll return if the season is canceled.

Andrew Ference is cautiously optimistic that these productive meetings will lead to an agreement in short order. Ference believes that the summer predictions from many of the hopeful club officials who said that training camp would start around Thanksgiving could prove true as long as the meetings keep going. "I don't think anyone's outright optimistic. I think it's always cautious," said Ference. "But I think any time you can see good solid meetings with a lot discussed and not a lot a hoopla press conferences afterward I think it's a positive thing. That's the nicest thing from my perspective, that we can actually talk like partners instead of trying to convince everybody else about what a great job you did in the boardroom."

Andrew Ference has a goal and two assists, with a plus-1 rating, in seven games with HC Ceske Budejovice. He also sat out one match after he took a shot off his hand. Ference had 24 points and a plus-9 rating in 72 contests with the Bruins last season.

Andrew Ference is not pleased that games had to be called off and believes a division among the owners is the only way to a fair solution. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman only needs seven other owners along with him to impose a lockout, so there would need to be quite a change of heart to change the course. "It's disappointing because in most any other business you would continue working while negotiating a new union contract," . "They were not forced to cancel games, it is voluntary by them. I remain optimistic that there are a number of owners who are just as unhappy as the players with this work stoppage -- and that they will be more vocal in their private talks with the league."

Andrew Ference will play for HC Ceske Budejovice. Ference had 24 points and 46 penalty minutes in 72 games in 2011-12. Assuming there's an NHL season, he won't have much fantasy value in standard leagues.

Andrew Ference is sitting back for now, but he probably wait on an agreement for too long. "I'm a glass half full guy and I'm always somewhat optimistic that their side takes into account the value of the trajectory of the game and the value lost," said Ference, who is hoping for a speedier resolution. "We're not football. I hope they're not counting on standing on their position for so long. But we'll see how it goes for the next couple of weeks with meetings and negotiations and see what kind of traction there is. But when you start to get into when we should be playing, that's kind of (the tipping point). Some guys are leaving right away, but I think I'll give it a couple of weeks before I jump on a plane." He played in the Czech Republic during the last lockout, but wouldn't say which league he was leaning toward this time around.

Andrew Ference is hoping to have a better game Sunday than he did Saturday. Ference was on the ice for three of Washington's four goals in the 4-3 loss. On the positive side, he did lead the Bruins in shots with seven. If Andrew Ference is leading your team in shots, no wonder you aren't winning games.

Andrew Ference was back in Boston's lineup on Sunday after missing five games with a lower-body injury. He posted one shot and logged just over 19 minutes of ice time in the team's 5-2 loss to Pittsburgh. Greg Zanon sat as a healthy scratch for the second time in the last three games as a result.