Neil's mother killed in accident

Condolences are in order for Ottawa Senators winger Chris Neil, as his mother was killed in a car accident today [link]. A native of Markdale, Ont., Neil has left the Senators to be with his family and will not be playing in tonight's game in North Carolina.

Generally regarded as just a tough guy, Neil has been having a career year this season, playing on the power play and putting up eight goals and 14 points in 18 games.

It has been a year filled with fatal car accidents involving the relatives of NHLers. Washington Capitals captain Jeff Halpern's mother, uncle and aunt were killed in February, and Toronto Maple Leaf winger Jeff O'Neill's brother, Donny, died in a single-car accident in July.