This will be a big night for the Big Rig.

As the Senators gather at the Canadian Tire Centre Thursday night to prepare to face the Washington Capitals, the club’s alternate captain will pull on his jersey for the Game No. 1,179 of his career and in the process he’ll set the franchise record for most games-played surpassing Daniel Alfredsson’s mark of 1,178.

And, to honour the record, the former Senators captain will be in attendance along with retired Ottawa defenceman Wade Redden. No wonder the Senators wanted Phillips to do this at home. Though this may not mean a lot to some people, it sure has special significance to him and his family.

“It means a lot,” Phillips said Wednesday. “For the type of player I am, I’m not going to be breaking any other records. Put it that way.

“There’s no other way to say, it gives me an opportunity, and my kids and people that know me, down the road to look at the record books for a few years anyway until this one gets broken. It’s a bit of a last marking or something to say that I did play a long time here, play a lot of games and it’s something I’m very proud of.”

Naturally, when any player hits a career milestone, the memories are flowing and they have been for Phillips this week. He thought about scoring the OT winner in Game 6 in New Jersey in the 2003 playoffs and what could have been if the club had just been able to win Game 7 at home.

Phillips can still remember Game 1 of his career on Oct. 1, 1997 at the Bell Centre against the Montreal Canadiens in a 2-2 tie.

“I remember going through ‘Oh Canada’, that this was really happening,” Phillips said. “I had played a few exhibition games, both that year and the year before, but when it finally matter and the regular season was starting and I was finally there, it was a great time and great memory.”

A healthy scratch nine times this season _ including Tuesday in New Jersey_ Phillips was asked what message had for young defencemen like Eric Gryba and Mark Borowiecki, who appear poised to take on his steady role.

“I’m not ready for them to take over,” Phillips said with a laugh.

“I try to lead by example, do what I do, and let them see if you quietly go about what’s asked of you, that is is possible for anyone. I was a high draft pick but I’ve never been a superstar or anything like that. Just a journeyman guy that has put in hard work and time. Good, long stories can come from that.”

Though Phillips role has diminished, his presence hasn’t.

Phillips has been a competitor his whole career and sitting out doesn’t sit well with him but this scenario will work out just fine. After arriving home in the wee hours of the morning from Newark, Phillips had a surprise waiting for him when he woke up Wednesday at his Kanata home.

His wife Erin flew his mother Carol in from Alberta to attend the game so he’ll get the chance to do it in Ottawa with his family _ including the couple’s three kids Ben, Zoe and Niomi _ on hand which makes even more special

“I think (it will mean more here). I would have loved to have just come back and have it be recognized,” Phillips said. “The fact that I am going to be able to do it (Thursday) night. I don’t know what else she has up her sleeve, but for everything happening it’s pretty special.”

As for his future, Phillips isn’t sure what’s next. He’s told GM Bryan Murray he’d rather not go anywhere at the March 2 NHL trade deadline and would like to mentor the young players by finishing his career here.

“We had a meeting a couple of weeks ago and it was just a meeting to see where we’re at, what the plans are and where we’re going to go from there,” said Phillips, who has a year left on his deal. “Things are subject to change. We’ll continue to talk but there’s definitely nothing going on right now.”

All the focus for Phillips is making his memorable mark.

Twitter: @sungarrioch