Andrew Ference’s affection for the city of Boston remains stronger than ever despite the fact that he spent this past NHL season on the opposite side of the continent.

The former Boston Bruins defenseman, now with the Edmonton Oilers, returned to his former home this week to assist with recycling efforts at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

“It’s great, I miss the city obviously,” Ference told The Boston Globe. “It’s like home to me and my family. Coming down, we got the Bruins, Sox and the marathon in a couple days’ span, so it’s been great.”

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Ference, who was a member of the Bruins’ Stanley Cup championship team in 2011, also took in a Red Sox game on Saturday and was in attendance Sunday for his old team’s 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings at TD Garden.

“The whole vibe, the city’s been great the past few days,” Ference said. “Everyone’s buzzing around, the weather’s nice. It’s perfect. This is what it’s all about, everybody’s coming together to try to turn the page and get on with things this year.”