Jump to content

Farewell, Mr. Phillips, and Thank You


ScottM

Recommended Posts

PHILLIPS_672_DL_15.jpg

 

There comes a point in the career of certain hockey players that realistically-minded fans have mixed feelings. There's the side that realizes that as a hockey and business decision, it's best to part ways and move on. Then again, there's another side that has developed a bit of an emotional attachment to the player and doesn't want to see him go. You know the kind of players I'm talking about. They're the guys that play many seasons for a team, giving all night in and night out, and have a reputation for being class acts. In Ottawa, Chris Phillips has been one of those guys.

 

Phillips announced his retirement from the NHL today, ending a 19-year career -- all of which was spent in Ottawa. If there's any surprise here, it's that it didn't happen a year or two earlier. He didn't play at all this past season and looked like a shell of himself in the two seasons previous. But enough about that. This isn't the day to reflect on that. This is the day to look back with gratitude as a Senators fan for all of the effort and hard work he displayed over those 19 years.

 

Back in the heyday of the Senators, the team consistently had a solid defense. There were few superstars, but there were plenty of dependable players that didn't leave fans cringing when they played. Guys like Wade Redden, Zdeno Chara, and Anton Volchenkov all came and went, but Phillips was a staple. He wasn't an offensive player by any stretch of the imagination, never putting up more than 26 points in a season, but when it came to being a shutdown guy, there were few better. Any time the Senators needed to counteract the opposing team's top line, you could be sure that Phillips would be called upon. A good example of that was the 2006-07 season when the tandem he formed with Anton Volvchenkov wowed observers with the massive amount of shots they blocked while helping power the Senators to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance.

 

However, it wasn't merely his on-ice performances that endeared him to the fans. Off the ice, the Big Rig had a reputation for being a genuinely nice guy that was devoted to the team and the fans. All in all, it was the perfect combination. Chris Phillips was always a deserved fan favorite.

 

And now, it's time to say goodbye. Even if his playing time has been limited recently, we're all used to having him around and have enjoyed it immensely. It just won't seem the same without him. Mr. Phillips, it has been fun, and speaking as a Senators fan, we really appreciate it. Thanks for all the hard work, the entertainment, and the success you brought to the team. Here's hoping we see that #4 jersey hanging in the rafters soon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Classy guy, Hockey lost a good man when he retired.

 

  I remember a few years ago when the deadline loomed and the Senators were out of it and having a fire sale, Phillips made it clear he had no intention of waiving his NTC because he loved the city and Ontario in general. Instead of the fans being upset they gave him an ovation in their next home game. Just a class act, hope the Sens find a way to keep him around. The game needs more good guys.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, ScottM said:

PHILLIPS_672_DL_15.jpg

 

There comes a point in the career of certain hockey players that realistically-minded fans have mixed feelings. There's the side that realizes that as a hockey and business decision, it's best to part ways and move on. Then again, there's another side that has developed a bit of an emotional attachment to the player and doesn't want to see him go. You know the kind of players I'm talking about. They're the guys that play many seasons for a team, giving all night in and night out, and have a reputation for being class acts. In Ottawa, Chris Phillips has been one of those guys.

 

Phillips announced his retirement from the NHL today, ending a 19-year career -- all of which was spent in Ottawa. If there's any surprise here, it's that it didn't happen a year or two earlier. He didn't play at all this past season and looked like a shell of himself in the two seasons previous. But enough about that. This isn't the day to reflect on that. This is the day to look back with gratitude as a Senators fan for all of the effort and hard work he displayed over those 19 years.

 

Back in the heyday of the Senators, the team consistently had a solid defense. There were few superstars, but there were plenty of dependable players that didn't leave fans cringing when they played. Guys like Wade Redden, Zdeno Chara, and Anton Volchenkov all came and went, but Phillips was a staple. He wasn't an offensive player by any stretch of the imagination, never putting up more than 26 points in a season, but when it came to being a shutdown guy, there were few better. Any time the Senators needed to counteract the opposing team's top line, you could be sure that Phillips would be called upon. A good example of that was the 2006-07 season when the tandem he formed with Anton Volvchenkov wowed observers with the massive amount of shots they blocked while helping power the Senators to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance.

 

However, it wasn't merely his on-ice performances that endeared him to the fans. Off the ice, the Big Rig had a reputation for being a genuinely nice guy that was devoted to the team and the fans. All in all, it was the perfect combination. Chris Phillips was always a deserved fan favorite.

 

And now, it's time to say goodbye. Even if his playing time has been limited recently, we're all used to having him around and have enjoyed it immensely. It just won't seem the same without him. Mr. Phillips, it has been fun, and speaking as a Senators fan, we really appreciate it. Thanks for all the hard work, the entertainment, and the success you brought to the team. Here's hoping we see that #4 jersey hanging in the rafters soon.

 

 

Well done Scott! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

54 minutes ago, yave1964 said:

Classy guy, Hockey lost a good man when he retired.

 

  I remember a few years ago when the deadline loomed and the Senators were out of it and having a fire sale, Phillips made it clear he had no intention of waiving his NTC because he loved the city and Ontario in general. Instead of the fans being upset they gave him an ovation in their next home game. Just a class act, hope the Sens find a way to keep him around. The game needs more good guys.

 

For a team that has had as many players get their feelings hurt and want to bail as the Senators have (Yashin, anyone?), that sort of thing was definitely a breath of fresh air. Had I been at that game, I would have joined the ovation, because I felt the same way. It was great to see someone that wanted to be there and made no bones about it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...