Friday evening, the Ottawa Senators will raise Chris Neil‘s number 25 to the rafters. Neil joins Daniel Alfredsson (11), Frank Finnigan (8), Chris Phillips (4) as the only former Senators’ players to have their numbers retired.
At first glance, especially if you reside outside Ottawa, one may scoff as to why the Senators would retire the number of a hard-nosed, grinding forward who dropped the gloves 176 on occasions in his NHL career per HockeyFights.com.
But if you’re aware of what Neil meant to the team in his 15 seasons and combine it with his continuing contributions to the Ottawa community, you’ll understand.
Senators president of business operations Anthony LeBlanc said it best in a media release the day the announcement became public.
“Chris Neil was and is everything that you would want an Ottawa Senator to be. While his success on the ice made him one of this franchise’s most valued players – his work in the community, both as a player and following his career, have created a unique legacy. His impact on this city is a model for players across the National Hockey League.”
Selected 168th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft from Ontario League North Bay Centennials, Neil cracked the Senators’ roster in the 2001-02 campaign after playing two seasons for the club’s International League affiliate in Grand Rapids, MI.
The native of Flesherton, ON posted modest offensive numbers in the IHL, his best in 00-01 where he registered 15 goals and 21 assists. But it was his penalty totals that stood out. Neil spent an astonishing 655 minutes in the box over 129 games – a sign of things to follow.
Tough as nails, Neil wore his heart on his sleeve. Never one to back down, his rambunctious style permitted teammates to skate freely, knowing “Neiler” had their backs.
Neil compiled 2,522 PIMS in 1,026 regular season games, plus another 204 in 95 playoff appearances in the NHL.
Not only is Neil one of three players to don the centurion in over 1000 games, along with former teammates, Alfredsson and Phillips, and is one of only two players in league history, former New Jersey Devil Ken Daneyko the other, to dress in over 1,000 games and collect over 2,500 penalty minutes while playing an entire career for one franchise.
Named alternate captain for the 2013-14 season, Neil was more than just an efficient grinding foward. He also had the ability to chip in offensively on occasion. accumulating 269 points including postseason.
Neil notched 112 regular season goals, in addition to nine more in the playoffs, including a game-winning overtime marker in 2012 in the opening round of the playoffs versus the New York Rangers.
But obviously the six-foot-one, 208 pound right wing was known for his crushing hits. His thunderous check on Boston Bruins Johnny Boychuk echoed throughout the Corel Centre, and is still memorable years later.
Neil’s former Senator teammate Wade Redden said Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre, “I look back to when he first came and joined our team, and where were as a team – what we were lacking, and he brought a lot of energy, a lot of toughness. He brought that every day when he came to the rink. He was the first here, first in every drill. I think he took our team to another level. He came in with “Fish” (Mike Fisher). even “Volchie” (Anton Volchenkov) added a level of toughness – Curtis Leschyshyn. I look back at the timeline right there. That really took our team to another level. Obviously, the playoff time when “Neiler” would really be valuable creating a lot of room for everyone out there.”
Off the ice, Neil is a pillar in the Ottawa area community. Involved in various business ventures, the popular Icelynd Skating Trails among them, Neil is currently the Senators vice-president of business and community affairs.
Neil and his wife Caitlin support multiple charitable organizations, regularly hosting or attending charitable events.
The Neils were named honorary co-chairs of Roger Neilson House, a pediatric care centre facility in July 2011. Caitlin remains on the Board of Directors.
Chris and Caitlin received the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for their contributions to the community in 2012.
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