Man of the Week: David Chen

KHL.ru’s weekly column returns with David Chen. The Shanghai Dragons’ forward has been in excellent form of late, being now at six goals in his last seven game for the Chinese franchise, which is now looking for a return to playoff hockey.

David Chen is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing stories of the Shanghai Dragons’ season. The American forward scored again on Sunday, opening the scoring in a 4–3 shootout victory over Spartak and extending an extraordinary run of production. Chen has found the net six times in his last seven games, including goals against Dinamo Minsk, Traktor, Ak Bars, HC Sochi, Severstal, and Spartak. His latest strike came on the power play, finishing a setup from Calen Addison to give Shanghai an early lead in a game that eventually required a dramatic comeback.

Chen’s hot streak has arrived at a perfect time for the Dragons. After joining the KHL directly from Yale University, the 23-year-old needed little time to adapt to a new level of competition. He scored his first KHL goal against Metallurg on Sept. 30, and Shanghai has now won four consecutive games, completing a perfect road trip, and Chen’s scoring touch has become an important part of the team’s improved form.

Early years

Born on April 1, 2003, in Livingston, New Jersey, Chen developed through American youth and prep-school hockey. He played for Milton Academy and Salisbury School before moving to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League.

Before moving to the USHL, Chen recorded 25 points (14+11) with the Rochester Coalition in 2020-2021, helping the team win the New York and U18 national championships. He then posted 20 (8+12) points in 41 games with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders before choosing Yale and the NCAA route over major junior hockey.

College career

Chen spent four seasons with the Yale Bulldogs, steadily developing into one of the team’s most productive forwards. He recorded 15 (8+7) points in 32 games as a freshman in 2022-2023, followed by 18 (9+9) points in 30 appearances the next season. In 2024-2025, he scored 11 goals and added seven assists in 19 games, making it his most productive collegiate campaign by points per game.

His senior season brought another step forward. Named team captain, Chen led Yale with 24 (7+17) points in 31 games in 2025-2026. He earned Second Team All-Ivy honors and was named ECAC Hockey's Men’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year, becoming the first Yale player to receive the award since its introduction in 2007.

Chen finished his college career with 74 points (34+40) in 111 games. He left Yale as an established leader, with experience in all situations and a reputation for combining offensive contributions with responsible two-way play.

Move to the KHL

The transition from NCAA hockey directly to the KHL is an uncommon route, although it is not without precedent. Parker Foo, who played college hockey at Union College, moved to Kunlun Red Star in 2020. Chen's decision to sign with Shanghai followed a similar path, bypassing the usual intermediate stages of professional hockey in North America.

His early performances have provided an encouraging start. After scoring his first KHL goal against Metallurg, Chen found the net against Dinamo Minsk, Traktor and Ak Bars in three consecutive games. He then continued his scoring run against Sochi and Severstal before being held off the scoresheet in Shanghai’s 2-0 win over Lada. His goal against Spartak brought him back on target, giving him six goals across his previous seven appearances.

Chen has demonstrated that his college scoring touch can translate to the KHL, and he is giving head coach Mitch Love another forward capable of finishing chances when the Dragons need them most. If Chen continues to find the net at this rate, his production can help the Chinese franchise return to playoff hockey.