Chris Neil Chris Neil ( born June 18 , 1979 ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player . Neil currently plays right wing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League ( NHL ) . Playing career . Early years . Neil started out playing minor hockey in the town of Flesherton , Ontario . He later played for the Grey - Bruce Highlanders of the South - Central Triple A Hockey League before getting his junior hockey start with the Junior " B " Orangeville Crushers . He played three successful junior seasons with the OHL ' s North Bay Centennials . In his final junior season in North Bay , Neil had a career year and gave an indication that he could be more than merely a physical presence , scoring 72 points in 66 games . NHL career . Chris Neil was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the 6th round ( 161st overall ) of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft . Ottawa management prized his toughness and work ethic and saw Neil as a player who would potentially fill a much needed role on the team for years to come . Neil spent two seasons with Ottawa ' s AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids , racking up back to back seasons of 300 + penalty minutes and establishing himself as a solid team player at the pro level . Leading up to the 2001 – 02 season , he had a strong training camp and made the Ottawa lineup . He made his NHL debut on October 3 , 2001 against the Toronto Maple Leafs . The next night , he got his first NHL point in a game against the Montreal Canadiens . On October 30 , 2001 , Chris scored his first goal against the Atlanta Thrashers . In his rookie season , Neil appeared in 72 games and scored 17 points , while accumulating 231 penalty minutes and establishing himself as a fearless combatant . During the 2002 – 03 season , Chris had 10 points in 68 games and lead the Senators with 147 penalty minutes . The next year , Chris again led the Senators with 194 penalty minutes . The 2005 – 06 season saw Neil ' s role with the Senators expand . When Brian McGrattan made the Ottawa lineup 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 powerplay shifts . 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 . Neil had a disappointing 2008 - 09 season , registering only 10 points , his lowest total since his rookie season , and the Senators missed the 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 , he signed a new 4 - year contract with the Senators worth $ 8 million . Personal . Before Neil was married , he and teammate Mike Fisher were roommates . The pair remain close to this day , and are both devout Christians . On June 1 , 2007 , at 11 : 05 p . m . , Neil and his wife , Caitlin , celebrated the birth of their first child named Hailey Jean , weighing 6 lbs . and 10 ounces . In the next game , he scored an important goal which he dedicated to her . Neil counts Denis Savard as his favorite player growing up . He lists four - wheeling , boating , and horseback riding as his favorite hobbies . On July 14 , 2011 , Neil and his wife Caitlin were introduced as the new honorary chairs of Rogers House , an Ottawa charity which provides a home away from home for sick children and their families .