Chris Phillips' 1,000th game ceremony

by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 12, 2012 4:00 PM EST in Ottawa Senators breaking news

OTTAWA, CANADA - FEBRUARY 11: Chris Phillips #4 of the Ottawa Senators is presented with a painting and stands along with Jason Spezza #19, Daniel Alfredsson #11, Jim Gregory (3rdFL), Brian Murray (4thFL), general manager of the Ottawa Senators, Eugene Melnyk (2ndFR), owner, governor and chairman of the Ottawa Senators during a pre-game ceremony to honour Phillips having played 1000th career games prior to an NHL game against the Edmonton Oilers at Scotiabank Place on February 11, 2012 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)

The modern-day Ottawa Senators franchise has played more games with Chris Phillips patrolling the blue line than they have without him. Few statistics can better explain how much the ~~1998~~ 1996 first-overall pick has meant to the organization. There have been good times and bad with Phillips, but no one can question his contributions to the team and the community. It was fitting, then, to watch him honoured with an impressive pre-game ceremony in advance of the team's game against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday afternoon. For those of you who missed the broadcast, Sens TV recorded it, and the videos are presented below.

First off, the presentation of a painting, a watch, a puck, and a stick to Phillips from his boss, his teammates, and the NHL, along with a speech of gratitude from Phillips himself, and the ceremonial face-off.

In advance of that ceremony were a series of messages of congratulations. The first--which can't be embedded, but is available here--is from former teammates from around the league, including Marian Hossa, Mike Fisher, Anton Volchenkov, Wade Redden, um, Zdeno Chara, um, Martin Havlat, and Chris Kelly.

Former teammates also took a moment to congratulate him, including Jason Smith, Luke Richardson, Shaun Van Allen, Todd White, Jason York, Shane Hnidy, Lance Pitlick (who is apparently hilarious and incredibly well-spoken), Randy Cunneyworth, Patrick Lalime, and... okay, I'm drawing a blank for that last guy. Any ideas?

His current teammates also offered their congratulations. Zenon Konopka remains hilarious, mentioning a fight he once had with Phillips, Kaspars Daugavins is the master of weird awkward jokes, and Jerry "Seinfeld" Cowen asks, "What's the deal with how old you are?"

Also, here's an interview with Tony Harris, the artist who made the painting that Phillips was presented:

And finally, a "1,000 games of loyalty & commitment" mural that was unveiled inside the 100-level entrance to the arena:

Heck of a career for the guy.

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Ha Kelly sounds like he is reading from a script

I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.

Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan

by Adnan on Feb 12, 2012 4:07 PM EST reply actions

Seriously.

Also, how many times did Chara say um.

by The Tif on Feb 12, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

I didn't get his Foligno reference...

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by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 12, 2012 8:26 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah what was that?

I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.

Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan

by Adnan on Feb 12, 2012 8:33 PM EST up reply actions

Possibly something to do with his dad

by Lady Gaga on Feb 12, 2012 8:45 PM EST up reply actions

Great ceremony for a great team guy.

Only question is whether or not his number will be retired when he does. Phillips seems like a pretty strong candidate for that kind of treatment.

by The Tif on Feb 12, 2012 4:08 PM EST reply actions

Alfredsson and Spezza sounded kind of robotic too

And I am shocked Karlsson didn’t throw in an “I mean” in there.

I love soft players (especially Europeans) that play on the perimeter. Enigmas are awesome. Grit and heart-and-soul are red flags.

Erik Karlsson is better than your favourite player.
Twitter: @sens_adnan

by Adnan on Feb 12, 2012 4:22 PM EST reply actions

Redden got to 994 (regular season) career games

Kind of an unfortunate subtext to his place in the video

by whereverjustice on Feb 12, 2012 4:24 PM EST reply actions

I just looked that up too, definitely kinda sad.

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by modsuperstar on Feb 12, 2012 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

Could still get to 1,000

Seems unlikely, but if his contract is bought out or “relieved” this off-season, he could very well sign with another team as a 6-7 guy.

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by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 12, 2012 8:27 PM EST up reply actions

Assuming he kept in shape, he could even be a 3-4 guy on a team that needs it.

The guy was one of the best defencemen in the league at one point. It’s not like he just forgot how to play.

by The Tif on Feb 12, 2012 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

I’ll more than welcome him back into the fold if he were to play a 5-6 role at a mil a year. I think he’d be a better option than Lee or Carkner in that role.

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by modsuperstar on Feb 12, 2012 11:39 PM EST up reply actions

YES

by JoeCorvo on Feb 13, 2012 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

Janet Jones places the over/under on the number of minutes before someone names the guy to follow Lalime, at 59.5

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 12, 2012 5:13 PM EST reply actions

I’m sure we can figure out who it is if we just talk it out.

by Poisonbelly on Feb 12, 2012 6:34 PM EST reply actions

I seriously have no clue

I mean… who could it be? He looks almost like Rick Tocchet, but can’t be. I’m confident I’d recognize anyone who’d played for the team for more than one season, but I have no idea.

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by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 12, 2012 8:38 PM EST up reply actions

I just assumed it was Rick Tocchet. I have no idea what his connection with Phillips would be, but he looks exactly like Tocchet.

by Poisonbelly on Feb 13, 2012 7:35 PM EST up reply actions

It is

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Feb 13, 2012 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

1996!

1996 first-overall pick

by tugnutt'n'rhodes on Feb 12, 2012 6:56 PM EST reply actions

Thank you!

I will correct this now.

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by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 12, 2012 8:28 PM EST up reply actions

'One of only 46 players to reach this milestone with the same franchise.'

The Marginal Virtues

by JonathanA on Feb 12, 2012 8:00 PM EST reply actions

Anyone else find it particularly interesting that the goalie is Lehner (I’m assuming) and not Anderson? It’s obvious Lehner is the supposed goalie of the future but it’s kind of … hm. I’m sure Anderson isn’t insulted or anything, but I think it’s interesting.

by Kangfish on Feb 12, 2012 8:54 PM EST reply actions

Its Lalime, actually.

Weird to have him in that jersey, but a nice touch nonetheless.

Scholar, Gentleman, Shameless Sens Homer with a Heart of Gold.

by Johnny_Spectacular on Feb 12, 2012 11:01 PM EST up reply actions

From the sounds of it, they're good friends

And Lalime’s the guy who Phillips played most of his games in front of, so it makes sense. Although you’re right, the jersey is a bit weird.

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by Peter Raaymakers on Feb 13, 2012 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

It’s probably like Anderson’s first Senators helmet where the artist used the old sad centurion logo on the mask. Odds are the artist just wanted to make it look like Lalime and Philly were on the same team, so wearing the same jerseys. Odd thing that Phillips is entirely engulfing Lemieux, I’m pretty sure that would be a penalty, given how big of a dude #66 was.

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by modsuperstar on Feb 12, 2012 11:51 PM EST up reply actions