Player Claims His Injury Could Be Career-Ending

16-year veteran defenseman Andrew Ference of the Edmonton Oilers is learning to face reality head-on. After undergoing hip surgery nearly seven months ago, the one-time Stanley Cup champion is ready to hang his skates up for good:

“What is the terminology? I have a career-ending injury," he told NHL.com. “If I hadn't won a Stanley Cup (with the Boston Bruins in 2011), that would be tough to swallow now.”

The 37-year-old is staying positive throughout the ordeal and despite having one year remaining on his contract, he is fully aware of the truth:

“I wasn't playing and I came into camp healthy. The messaging was fairly clear.”

He knew the writing was on the wall when the Oilers were in Boston last season and he was a healthy scratch.