Bruins D Ference out six to eight weeks

Nov 16, 2008 - 1:44 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- The Boston Bruins announced Saturday that defenseman Andrew Ference will be out six to eight weeks with a broken right tibia.

Ference was struck by a slap shot from Montreal blue-liner Andrei Markov during the second period of Thursday's 6-1 victory over the Canadiens and did not return after leaving the ice. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Monday.

"He's going to be out for a bit, but after the six weeks, we'll see how he does," Boston general manager Peter Chiarelli said. "He might come back a little bit earlier."

The Bruins have yet to announce a move to replace the 29-year-old Ference, who has recorded seven assists in 16 games this season.

"He was playing really well," Chiarelli said. "I think we saw the true Andrew Ference, and he's going to be hard to replace."

Selected by Pittsburgh in the eighth round of the 1997 draft, Ference has registered 23 goals and 101 assists in 488 games with the Penguins, Calgary Flames and Bruins during his nine-year NHL career.