After more than 1,000 NHL games, former North Bay Centennials forward and longtime Ottawa Senators enforcer, Chris Neil is retiring from the game of hockey.
"I hope that my demonstration of hard work has been an example to some and that it shows you can do anything if you decide to do it and put your mind to it," he said during a press conference today surrounded by members of his family.
With 112 goals and 250 points over his career, Neil, a sixth-round pick in 1998, never had any misconceptions about his skill level. He realized early in his career that if he wanted to stay in the NHL he had to create a role for himself, and quickly determined being an agitator would suit him well.
"He considered the Senators his family and he defended his family as well as anyone in the NHL," said Senators assistant GM Randy Lee, who worked with Neil since he was an Ottawa prospect. "If somebody took liberties with one of our players or we needed a spark he took it upon himself to do the right thing."
With Neil’s retirement official, Chris Thorburn is now the last former North Bay Centennials player in the National Hockey League.
See related story: Chris Neil leading by Example (VIDEO)
