Chris Phillips

Longest-serving Senator, stay-at-home defenceman, and franchise icon.

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.

Quick Facts

Born: 9 March 1978
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Position: Defence
Shoots: Left
Played for: Ottawa Senators; Brynäs IF
Draft: 1st overall
Drafted by: Ottawa Senators

Lore & Background

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.

Reader's Guide

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. He joined the Major Junior Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL for the 1995-96 season. The Senators reassigned Phillips to the Raiders for the 1996-97 season. Prince Albert traded Phillips to the Lethbridge Hurricanes midway through the season. Phillips made his NHL debut in the 1997–98 season. He missed 48 games in the 1998-99 season. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Phillips signed with Brynäs IF of the SEL. In the summer of 2015, while attempting to return to hockey, Phillips suffered a crack in a disc in his back, rendering him unable to participate in the Ottawa Senators training camp. He subsequently missed the entire 2015–16 season.

Did You Know?

Phillips scored an overtime winner in game six of the 2003 Eastern Conference finals against the New Jersey Devils.
He won the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the WHL's top defenseman in 1996-97.
Phillips was named an alternate captain for the Senators prior to the 2006-07 season.