Ottawa Senators: Chris Neil retires after 15 seasons with team

Forward Chris Neil, who is the Ottawa Senators' all-time penalty minutes leader, announced his retirement from the NHL on Thursday.

Neil has not played this season after recording one goal and three assists in 53 games with the Senators in 2016-17. The 38-year-old announced his decision alongside general manager Pierre Dorion and assistant general manager Randy Lee.

Neil collected 112 goals, 138 assists and 2,522 penalty minutes during his 15-season career, all with the Senators. He played in 1,026 games, which ranks third all-time in franchise history behind Chris Phillips (1,179) and former captain Daniel Alfredsson (1,178).

"Chris Neil exemplifies the best qualities of both our city and the Senators franchise," Senators owner Eugene Melnyk said in a statement. "His career personified grit, drive and resilience; there was never a day that he was not there for his teammates.

"Chris earned everything he achieved in the league through his hard work and dedication to the game and he will go down in history as one of the great character players to ever wear the Senators jersey."

Dorion referred to Neil on Thursday as the toughest and grittiest Senator of all-time.