Chris Phillips

Chris Phillips (born March 9, 1978) is a Canadian businessman and former professional ice hockey player. Phillips was a member of the Ottawa Senators for his entire NHL career, which began with the 1997–98 season and ended with the 2015–16 season. He was regarded as a stay-at-home defenceman. The Senators drafted him first overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. Phillips retired in 2016 after spending a season on the injured list. Phillips played 1,179 games with Ottawa in the regular season, making him the longest-serving player in Senators franchise history. In addition, he played in 114 playoff games. His number was retired by the team in 2019. Phillips worked in community and business development for the Senators from 2015 to 2021, when he resigned as the executive director of the Senators Community Foundation after a dispute with owner Eugene Melnyk. After Melnyk's death, he rejoined the organization in September 2022 as the Vice President of Community and Business Development. Playing career Fort McMurray Oil Barons Phillips was raised in Fort McMurray, Alberta. He began his junior career with the Junior A Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 1993–94, where he had six goals and 22 points in 56 games. In 10 playoff games, Phillips had three assists. He returned to the Oil Barons for the 1994–95 season, in which he saw his offensive production increase to 16 goals and 48 points in 48 games. In 11 post-season games, Phillips had four goals and six points. Phillips also participated in the 1995 Canada Winter Games where he was the captain of the Alberta team.