Ben Harpur Signs with Shanghai Dragons
Former New York Rangers defenseman Ben Harpur has made a significant career move by signing a one-year deal with the Shanghai Dragons, a team in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). This decision follows an unsuccessful attempt to secure a spot with the Florida Panthers during their training camp, where he was on a professional tryout. Harpur is expected to bolster the Dragons’ blue line as he transitions to play internationally.
2022-23 NHL Season Performance
During the 2022-23 NHL season, Harpur participated in 42 games with the Rangers, tallying a goal, five assists, and a total of six points. Additionally, he contributed defensively with 57 blocks and 63 hits, finishing the season with an even plus/minus rating.
After the NHL, he spent the following two seasons predominantly with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). In the 2024-25 AHL season, he played in 29 games, achieving one goal, four assists, and accumulating 48 penalty minutes with a minus-4 rating.
NHL Career Overview
Over the span of his NHL career, which includes time with the Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, and Rangers, Harpur played in 198 games, where he scored two goals and notched 19 assists for a total of 21 points. His career highlights also include impressive physical statistics, such as 143 penalty minutes, 221 blocked shots, and 317 hits, showcasing his role as a reliable defenseman in the league.
