Chris Neil Celebrates 900th Game With A Very Cordial Fight

Chris Neil is somewhat of an Ottawa Senators lifer, having played 13 seasons-long career with the team and notching his 900th game on Thursday. The Senators lost 5-4, but Neil had himself a game, scoring, assisting, and wrasslin’, all in a mere 6:17 of ice time.

The lead up to the fight was remarkably calm, as Neil asked Jordin Tootoo to throw hands so he could earn a Gordie Howe hat trick. Canadians are so sweet.

After the game, Tootoo declared that walloping Neil was a sign of respect.

Neiler has been through the meat grinder many times...It’s not only physically demanding. It’s mentally draining, night in, night out. But some people are built to withstand that and those people are few and far between. Kudos to him for playing so long. He was probably someone who was always told ‘you’re not good enough’. He has proven otherwise.

Hockey truly is a wonderful sport.

Photo via Getty