To say it was a little bit strange is an understatement.
Walking into the Ottawa Senators dressing room on Monday morning and seeing Chris Neil and Nick Paul together in the same dressing room.
As someone who has covered the North Bay Centennials from 1996 to 2002, I felt a bit emotional seeing the Centennials generation now directly connected with North Bay’s new major junior franchise, the North Bay Battalion in one locker room.
But there are more parallels than just location.
Nick Paul has worked hard and sacrificed his offensive game to become an NHL pro. Chris Neil had two 26 goal campaigns in the OHL, and now the Senators enforcer is approaching 1000 NHL games.
The 36-year-old Flesherton, Ontario native was sad to see the Centennials leave town but he’s thrilled to share North Bay stories with his new teammate with North Bay Major Junior ties.
“Obviously I was devastated when they lost their team but now that they got one back it’s great to see and still producing some great young prospects,” said Neil after practice as his young son Findlay sits patiently next to him in his stall.
“Obviously when Nick came into camp this year I saw a lot of good potential in him, a lot of talent and to be able to play with him a little bit in pre-season and some exhibition games I knew this kid was going to be a special player so obviously for him to get the opportunity now and be able to play with him it’s been great.”
Nick Paul is grateful to have a player like Neil as a mentor.
“That little connection helped us out and we ended up on the same line and he is just a great guy and a great veteran who came in, gave me little tips on routines and how to be a good pro, he’s really helped me out, I know he has been here for quite a while so he knows what he’s talking about so whatever he says, I listen and he’s been a great help,” said the former Battalion star about Neil.
Battalion Assistant Coach John Dean played with Neil on the Centennials. He recalls Neil almost breaking his hand after their initial handshake.
Dean is not surprised at all to see Neil find so much success at the NHL level.
“He's a guy that works extremely, extremely hard, a very competitive guy and he will do whatever it takes to win, I mean whatever it takes to win so anytime you have a character like that you are bound to have a successful career,” said Dean about Neil who played three seasons with the Cents from 1996 to 1999.
Neil just signed a $1.5 million contract extension with the Senators who drafted him in the 6th round, 161st overall back in 1998. Barring injury, that will allow Neil to reach 1000 games played in the National Hockey League.
“Obviously being a late round pick there are no expectations, they just take a chance and if it pans out, it pans out, if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Now 950-some games later I am still here so obviously it has been an unbelievable journey for me here and I have been very blessed and fortunate that I have played as long as I have,” he said.
Neil had a big grin on his face when he found out his former teammates Dean and Steve Chabbert are now working as coaches with the Battalion in North Bay.
“Obviously those guys were great teammates and to see them still involved in hockey is great because they were great players and for them to be teaching some of the young guys what they know and what they have learned over the years, they are great guys and have some very fond memories of them,” said Neil.
Neil is one of only two former Centennials players still playing in the NHL, with Chris Thorburn being the other.
While it has been a while, Neil says he will never forget North Bay.
“The city was just big enough that I didn’t feel overwhelmed when I went there and it was a great fit for me.”
