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“Even before I got hurt, I was a healthy scratch for a couple of games and I saw the writing on the wall. I feel I’ve got stuff left to do. I feel I can still play and contribute.”

Neil, of course, is disappointed it won’t be in Ottawa.

“It’s one of those things … I wanted to be a Senator for life,” he said. “But I get it. It’s part of the business. I’ve seen it happen to other guys. You always know your time is going to come.”

Dorion said his conversation with Neil was one of the three toughest things he had to do in his 14 months on the job, right after informing the public of Nicholle Anderson’s fight with cancer and firing coach Dave Cameron.

“I have the utmost respect for Chris Neil,” Dorion said. “Chris, to me, represents everything that a lot of people would ever want us to be. His character, his leadership, his grit, what he’s ready to sacrifice and what he’s ready to do for his teammates. I think his ability to take on way bigger, stronger guys and fight for his teammates is something that will never be forgotten on this team, in this organization.

“When you look up character in the dictionary, if it was an Ottawa Senators dictionary, Chris Neil would be right beside it.”

Neil, one of only three players to suit up for more than 1,000 games with the organization, sits 20th on the NHL’s all time penalty minutes list with 2,522. By Neil’s decision to play on, Dorion said, the player was “going to try to prove everybody in the organization wrong, and that’s OK.” But will another team offer him a contract after July 1? It’s quite possible. Nobody is more prepared, nobody is more dedicated, nobody is a better example of what it takes to be a pro.