Chris Phillips

Chris Phillips, born on March ninth, nineteen seventy-eight, is a distinguished Canadian businessman and former professional ice hockey player. He dedicated his entire NHL career to the Ottawa Senators, beginning in the nineteen ninety-seven to nineteen ninety-eight season and concluding in the twenty fifteen to twenty sixteen season. Known for his role as a stay-at-home defenceman, Phillips was drafted first overall by the Senators in the nineteen ninety-six NHL entry draft.

Throughout his illustrious career, Phillips played one thousand one hundred seventy-nine regular season games with the Senators, making him the longest-serving player in the franchise's history. In addition to his regular season contributions, he also participated in one hundred fourteen playoff games. In recognition of his significant impact on the team, the Senators retired his jersey number in two thousand nineteen.

After retiring in two thousand sixteen, following a season plagued by injuries, Phillips transitioned into community and business development for the Senators. He served as the executive director of the Senators Community Foundation from two thousand fifteen until two thousand twenty-one, when he resigned due to a dispute with team owner Eugene Melnyk. Following Melnyk's passing, Phillips rejoined the organization in September two thousand twenty-two, taking on the role of Vice President of Community and Business Development.