GARRIOCH: Chris Neil’s No. 25 raised to the rafters during poignant ceremony to honour Senators winger
Chris Neil #ChrisNeil
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“He wore his No. 25 with heart and pride.”
Chris Neil’s No. 25 was raised to the rafters of the Canadian Tire Centre before Friday’s home game against the Chicago Blackhawks. Photo by ERROL MCGIHON /POSTMEDIA Article content
Before Chris Neil’s No. 25 was lifted to the rafters, the man who wore No. 11 delivered the banner to the sounds of thunderous applause and a standing ovation.
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It was a special night for one of the most special people to put on the Ottawa Senators jersey as Neil became only the third player in the modern-day history of the National Hockey League franchise to have his number retired.
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He joins former captain Daniel Alfredsson, who had his No. 11 retired in 2016, and former alternate captain Chris Phillips, who had his No. 4 raised in 2020.
“This truly is a special honour to have number going beside two legends with Alfie and Philly,” Neil told the crowd. “I still remember my first game in this building in front of a sold-out crowd, and to have the CTC filled to celebrate tonight for me is amazing.”
An emotional Neil accepted the honour with the humble gratitude you’d expect, and he thanked former Senators general Marshall Johnston for believing in him. He also thanked former coaches Jacques Martin, Paul MacLean, Dave Cameron and the late Bryan Murray.
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Born in Flesherton, Ont., Neil has made his home in Ottawa with his wife Caitlin and their three children. He’s respected by everybody in the organization and retiring his number is the right way to show appreciation for the contributions he made during his career.
He gave a lot of credit to his family and was emotional when he spoke about his late mother.
“Back in my first year, when I would get in a fight, I would raise my hands after the fight to get the crowd pumped up, but the real reason behind it was to let my mom know I was OK,” Neil said.
Drafted in the sixth round, No. 161 overall in 1998, Neil suited up for 1,026 games in 16 seasons with the Senators. He finished with 112 goals and 138 assists for 250 points, but his game was never about being an offensive player. Instead, he had an even bigger role.
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Neil’s job was to serve and protect his teammates. He did it with every ounce of blood in his body. He holds the franchise record for career penalty minutes with 2,522.
“He wore his No. 25 with heart and pride,” Phillips said.
Chris Neil, third from left, is joined by current, from left to right, Claude Giroux, Thomas Chabot, Derick Brassard and Brady Tkachuk as well as former teammate and Senators captain Daniel Alfredsson for the jersey retirement ceremony. Photo by ERROL MCGIHON /POSTMEDIA
Neil ranks 20th all-time in the NHL in penalty minutes.Nobody will ever forget the Senators’ playoff run in 2017, when players asked former coach Guy Boucher to dress Neil for Game 5 of Round 2 against the New York Rangers. Kyle Turris scored the winner in overtime in a 5-4 victory, giving Ottawa a 3-2 series lead, and he credited Neil’s presence.
The two teams combined for 78 penalty minutes in Game 4 and the Senators didn’t like the perception they had been pushed around by the Rangers. Neil only played 2:26 in Game 5, on five shifts, but he dropped the gloves with New York’s Tanner Glass and made his presence felt. Glass had attacked Turris in Game 4 and nobody addressed that night.
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It was Neil’s debut in the post-season that spring and he brought valuable experience after being part of so many previous playoff runs. He hung up his skates after that season and had a chance to play elsewhere, but didn’t want to leave Ottawa.
“How many players played better because Chris Neil played with them in what was a really tough era,” current Senators head coach D.J. Smith said. “How many buildings did guys go in and get an extra foot or two feet because he was out there. What he was able to do was play.
“When you’re on the fourth line, and in and out of the lineup, teams don’t have to deal with you. His ability on the forecheck made teams have to deal with him. His ability to play with good players separated him from just your run-of-the-mill tough guy.”
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People like to debate jersey retirements, but there shouldn’t be any debate regarding Neil. For full disclosure, as a member of the “Player Honouring Committee,” this decision made sense from the minute a presentation was made on Neil’s behalf in June.
Smith noted it was good for current players like Brady Tkachuk, Thomas Chabot, Tim Stutzle and Josh Norris to see the organization honouring those from the past.
“It’s about the amount of time and work that people put into an organization,” Smith said. “It’s absolutely imperative because people like Brady, Thomas, Timmy and Norris see this and it gives them something to strive for, if you stay here your whole career.
“There’s getting your number retired, the hall of fame, and all of those things are part of your last legacy. For our guys to see that tonight, they can wonder if one day that’s going to be them.”
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The ceremony ended with Neil exiting through the penalty box, a place where he spent so many hours.
If the Senators do move to a new rink at LeBreton Flats down the road, it might make sense for the organization to give Neil the penalty box from the Canadian Tire Centre for his backyard rink at home.
“Playing your career with one team, you have a lot of great memories, but this one will be forever lasting,” Neil said.
bgarrioch@postmedia.com
Twitter.com/sungarrioch
Senators’ winger Chris Neil a Toronto Maple Leaf? The horror! It nearly happened! 
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