Chris "Big Rig" Phillips hangs 'em up

The Big Rig announced during a press conference that he is retiring from professional hockey.

The 6'3 defensive defenceman has made a decision on his future, retiring at the age of 38. The 1996 first overall pick has played the most games than anyone else has ever had donning the Senators uniform, Chris Phillips is an absolute legend in my books, one of the best shutdown defenceman the league has ever seen, he still contributed offensively compiling 71 goals and 217 assists for a total of 288 points in 1,179 games played, as well as 15 points in 114 career playoff games. Phillips was limited to 23 games in the past two seasons, playing zero games in the 2015-16 campaign. Phillips couldn't recover from surgery for his cracked vertebra and was pushed in the direction to retire. Three players come to mind right away that in the near future will have their numbers hung from the rafters: #11 Daniel Alfredsson, #25 Chris Neil, and #4 Chris Phillips, one of the best players to ever wear the Sens' uniform and definitely one of the proudest as well. The Senators announced today that Phillips has agreed to stay with the organization to work in the front office. In this position, Phillips will continue to engage with the Ottawa-Gatineau community while being involved in community programs, alumni relations and business development. There are 3 huge moments in Chris Phillips career that even young and new Sens' fans have seen: The Darcy Tucker hit, Big Rig scoring two goals in his 1,000th NHL game, and scoring the Eastern Conference game 6 ot goal to force a game 7. Chris Phillips has been more than a player, and a legend. He's been a leader for the community of Ottawa and an inspiration for young kids all around Canada, if you put your mind to it amazing things can happen, Chris Phillips will be heavily missed by Sens' fans, but at least he had the chance to salute the crowd one more time in the last home game of the season vs the Panthers, Big Rig. Congrats on a fantastic career and thanks for the memories.

Chris Phillips career profile - Drafted first overall by the Senators in the 1996 NHL Draft - Played his first NHL game on Oct. 1, 1997, at Montreal - Recorded his first NHL assist on Oct. 15, 1997, versus the New York Rangers - Scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 30, 1997, at Florida (Mark Fitzpatrick) - Won two gold medals at the 1996 and 1997 World Junior Hockey Championship - Was a three-time participant at the Men’s World Hockey Championship, winning silver medals in both 2005 and 2009 - Became the Senators’ all-time leader in games played for the franchise when he appeared in the 1,179th game of his career (and for the club) on Feb. 5, 2015, versus the Washington Capitals (2-1 loss) - Played his 1,000th career NHL game versus the Nashville Predators on Feb. 9, 2012, in a 4-3 win, scoring two goals - Phillips was named alternate captain for the Senators on Oct. 3, 2006, a title he kept for the remainder of his playing career

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