Jared Crozier: Chris Neil - 1,000 games the hard way

Chris Neil is a legend in my eyes. Where would the crest be without his toughness?
Retired number, keep him within the team grooming the young kids when he retires, when he goes it'll be a very long time before we ever see another player like him in a Sens uniform.

End of an era in so many ways coming up, an old school hockey player , love my old school hockey players. They are a dying breed and Neil is one of the best ever at it. He could play on any coaches team that ever coached in the NHL, can't say that about to many guys.

Chris Neil is one of my all time favourites for the Sens. Tough as nails, but not a cheap shot guy or a weasel.

Not surprisingly, his best point total seasons (33, 28 and 28) were in the years that the Sens had their best success (05-06, 06-07, and 11-12).

He is the heart and soul of the team, on and off the ice and an outstanding member of the community.

Good for Chris and his family!

Here's hoping that he celebrates his 1000th game with a little Hanson bros action and goes down the Anaheim bench with his stick

I wonder if Cherry will finally admit that "Chris Neil is one of my guys"

Chris Neil is a legend in my eyes. Where would the crest be without his toughness?
Retired number, keep him within the team grooming the young kids when he retires, when he goes it'll be a very long time before we ever see another player like him in a Sens uniform.

End of an era in so many ways coming up, an old school hockey player , love my old school hockey players. They are a dying breed and Neil is one of the best ever at it. He could play on any coaches team that ever coached in the NHL, can't say that about to many guys.
- tuna99

Very true. Can't think of another player like him over the past 15 years still in the game. Had some good and bad seasons but looking back to the Battle of Ontario days and see him still bringing it every night now is impressive.

Great write-up Jared; you definitely captured what a lot of us think of him. He really has been great over the last two years in his role, and he's someone who continues to impress me. I've met him a couple times and he was always friendly and respectful.

My favourite memory is being out for breakfast in the Centrum with a friend and we had a copy of the Sun on our table from the last patron. On the cover was Neil looking mean as he!! beating someone up. Then Neil walks in and passes our table, glances at the paper, makes eye contact with me, smiles and nods, and continues on his way. It was a great and understated moment.

Good for him to carve out a decent NHL career with AHL skills because he works hard, will stick up for his teammates and is a solid citizen.
Lots of guys with far more talent like Peter Holland for example have never made it.
I hope he can get one tonight to celebrate his achievement. Don't like him very much but I do respect him.

Great write-up Jared; you definitely captured what a lot of us think of him. He really has been great over the last two years in his role, and he's someone who continues to impress me. I've met him a couple times and he was always friendly and respectful.

My favourite memory is being out for breakfast in the Centrum with a friend and we had a copy of the Sun on our table from the last patron. On the cover was Neil looking mean as he!! beating someone up. Then Neil walks in and passes our table, glances at the paper, makes eye contact with me, smiles and nods, and continues on his way. It was a great and understated moment.
- Jaded_Moose

Great story.

I'd like to start off by first saying eff the Sens. Twice.

Second, as much as I hate Chris Neil, 1,000 games is a hell of an achievement for a guy of his ilk(tough guy, enforcer whatever you want to call him). And while on the whole I don't think he's a dirty player he definitely has had some dirty moments. Like most NHL players at one point or another. I think for a couple years there he was kept around mainly as a loyalty thing to him. The team wasn't great and he was cheap so it wasn't a huge deal, but he's actually played pretty well the last 2 years. To be able to adapt to the "new" NHL is an accomplishment not many in his line of work have been able to do. And to adapt to get some PP time as well is pretty amazing. He's been getting PP time for a while, but you know what I mean.