Chris Neil was born June 18, 1979 in Markdale, Ontario. The 6th round choice, 161st overall selection of the Ottawa Senators in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Neil is a graduate of Ontario Hockey League's North Bay Centennials. In three seasons with the Centennials, Neil registered 157 points (56-91-157) and 417 penalty minutes in 193 games before making his professional debut in 1999-2000 with the IHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.



Neil played two seasons with the Griffins recording back to back seasons with over 300 plus penalty minutes before making his NHL debut with the Senators in 2001-02. In his first season with the Sens, Neil tallied 17 points (7-10-17), while registering 232 penalty minutes. Over the course of the next two seasons, Neil continued his hard-nosed gritty play with the club and during the 2003-04 season played his 200th NHL game.