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Chris Neil
Chris Neil (born June 18, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. Neil was drafted in the sixth round, 161st overall, in the 1998 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators, and played his entire NHL career with the Senators organization. He was best known for his role as an enforcer. In September 2022, Neil became the vice president of business and community development for the Senators.
Neil was born on June 18, 1979, in Flesherton, Ontario, Canada to parents Bonnie and Barry Neil. He was raised alongside three older brothers, whom he credits for his physical style of play. Neil's mother died in 2005 in a car accident.
Growing up in Flesherton, Neil began skating with the Flesherton Minor Hockey Association at the age of five. He scored 15 goals and 30 points with the Orangeville Crushers during the 1995–96 season before being drafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had been contacted by 12 OHL teams but was eventually drafted by the North Bay Centennials in the eighth round, 121st overall, of the 1996 OHL draft. Neil scored five goals and two assists through the first six games of the 1997–98 season before being suspended for five games. He set new career-highs in the 1998–99 season with 26 goals and 72 points in 66 games. After the Centennials were eliminated from the 1999 OHL playoffs, Neil joined the Muskegon Fury in the United Hockey League for their postseason run. He led the team with 62 penalty minutes through 17 playoff games. Once the season ended, Neil was drafted in the sixth round, 161st overall, of the 1998 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators.
Neil spent two seasons with Ottawa's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before making his NHL debut during the 2001–02 season. Following a strong training camp and preseason, Neil was named to the Senators' opening night roster. He recorded one point and nine penalty minutes over his first eight NHL games. After making his NHL debut on October 3, 2001, against the Toronto Maple Leafs,[citation needed] he recorded his first NHL point the following day with an assist on Steve Martins' goal. Neil scored his first NHL goal in a 6–3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers on October 30. While he started the season with an inconsistent role, by late November the Senators began giving him more ice time. He also began playing on the Senators' power-play unit and finished the season ranked 10th among league rookies with 10 goals. Neil was placed on the team's injured list on March 21, 2002, after bruising his hip, but returned for the Senators' 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs run.
After a lengthy contract negotiation, Neil signed a three-year $1.755 contract extension with the Senators on September 14, 2002. However, shortly after signing, Neil broke his leg during an exhibition game against the Buffalo Sabres. He subsequently missed the first 12 games of the 2002–03 season before returning to the Senators lineup.
The 2005–06 season saw Neil's role with the Senators expand. When Brian McGrattan made the Ottawa line-up out of training camp, much of the responsibilities as "team enforcer" were lifted off Neil's shoulders, and he was given the opportunity to contribute in a more offensive role. He responded, and posted the best offensive totals of his NHL career with 16 goals and 33 points. The following season, Neil posted similar numbers with 12 goals and 28 points while leading the NHL in hits. The coaching staff rewarded him with special teams assignments, and he received regular power play shifts.[citation needed]
As the 2007–08 season unfolded, Brian McGrattan saw very limited ice time, and Neil was once again called upon to act as the Senators' enforcer and primary physical presence on many nights. As a result, his offensive production declined, though he did finish the season with a respectable 20 points.[citation needed]
Neil had a disappointing 2008–09 season, registering only ten points, his lowest total since his rookie season, and the Senators missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time during his tenure in Ottawa. After the season, Neil became an unrestricted free agent, and there was speculation that he would sign elsewhere. Instead, however, he signed a four-year, $8 million contract with the Senators. Neil reportedly received offers from three other clubs, but ended up accepting less money to remain in Ottawa.
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Chris Neil
Chris Neil (born June 18, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. Neil was drafted in the sixth round, 161st overall, in the 1998 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators, and played his entire NHL career with the Senators organization. He was best known for his role as an enforcer. In September 2022, Neil became the vice president of business and community development for the Senators.
Neil was born on June 18, 1979, in Flesherton, Ontario, Canada to parents Bonnie and Barry Neil. He was raised alongside three older brothers, whom he credits for his physical style of play. Neil's mother died in 2005 in a car accident.
Growing up in Flesherton, Neil began skating with the Flesherton Minor Hockey Association at the age of five. He scored 15 goals and 30 points with the Orangeville Crushers during the 1995–96 season before being drafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had been contacted by 12 OHL teams but was eventually drafted by the North Bay Centennials in the eighth round, 121st overall, of the 1996 OHL draft. Neil scored five goals and two assists through the first six games of the 1997–98 season before being suspended for five games. He set new career-highs in the 1998–99 season with 26 goals and 72 points in 66 games. After the Centennials were eliminated from the 1999 OHL playoffs, Neil joined the Muskegon Fury in the United Hockey League for their postseason run. He led the team with 62 penalty minutes through 17 playoff games. Once the season ended, Neil was drafted in the sixth round, 161st overall, of the 1998 NHL entry draft by the Ottawa Senators.
Neil spent two seasons with Ottawa's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, before making his NHL debut during the 2001–02 season. Following a strong training camp and preseason, Neil was named to the Senators' opening night roster. He recorded one point and nine penalty minutes over his first eight NHL games. After making his NHL debut on October 3, 2001, against the Toronto Maple Leafs,[citation needed] he recorded his first NHL point the following day with an assist on Steve Martins' goal. Neil scored his first NHL goal in a 6–3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers on October 30. While he started the season with an inconsistent role, by late November the Senators began giving him more ice time. He also began playing on the Senators' power-play unit and finished the season ranked 10th among league rookies with 10 goals. Neil was placed on the team's injured list on March 21, 2002, after bruising his hip, but returned for the Senators' 2002 Stanley Cup playoffs run.
After a lengthy contract negotiation, Neil signed a three-year $1.755 contract extension with the Senators on September 14, 2002. However, shortly after signing, Neil broke his leg during an exhibition game against the Buffalo Sabres. He subsequently missed the first 12 games of the 2002–03 season before returning to the Senators lineup.
The 2005–06 season saw Neil's role with the Senators expand. When Brian McGrattan made the Ottawa line-up out of training camp, much of the responsibilities as "team enforcer" were lifted off Neil's shoulders, and he was given the opportunity to contribute in a more offensive role. He responded, and posted the best offensive totals of his NHL career with 16 goals and 33 points. The following season, Neil posted similar numbers with 12 goals and 28 points while leading the NHL in hits. The coaching staff rewarded him with special teams assignments, and he received regular power play shifts.[citation needed]
As the 2007–08 season unfolded, Brian McGrattan saw very limited ice time, and Neil was once again called upon to act as the Senators' enforcer and primary physical presence on many nights. As a result, his offensive production declined, though he did finish the season with a respectable 20 points.[citation needed]
Neil had a disappointing 2008–09 season, registering only ten points, his lowest total since his rookie season, and the Senators missed the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time during his tenure in Ottawa. After the season, Neil became an unrestricted free agent, and there was speculation that he would sign elsewhere. Instead, however, he signed a four-year, $8 million contract with the Senators. Neil reportedly received offers from three other clubs, but ended up accepting less money to remain in Ottawa.