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DENVER — The current edition of the Edmonton Oilers is more than a little surprised to hear Andrew Ference teeing off on his ex-teammates, saying they treated hockey games like something to occupy the time between late night bar hopping episodes during the time he was captain here.

In a podcast with Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Ference described a culture of party animals who routinely stayed out until three or four in the morning and actually mocked any teammates who tried hard in practice and didn’t share the same zest for nightlife.

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It’s not often you hear a former captain shred the work ethic and dedication of the team he had led, which is why Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the only remaining regular from the 2013-14 team, thought it was a rather bizarre outburst.

“I don’t have too much to say about it,” he said after Tuesday’s morning skate in Denver. “But I’m a little surprised that he would come out now and say these things. It’s strange. I always got along with him, too.”