Ilya Kovalchuk takes over as president of KHL’s Shanghai Dragons

The Shanghai Dragons are turning to a pair of former NHLers to reshape the franchise’s future.

The club announced Tuesday that Ilya Kovalchuk has been named team president, while Evgeny Artyukhin will take over as general manager.

“This is a very exciting challenge for me,” Kovalchuk wrote in a press release. “I am grateful for the opportunity to become part of the Shanghai Dragons and to help build a competitive team that fans can be proud of.”

Kovalchuk, who officially retired from professional hockey in 2025, steps into an executive role for the first time after a decorated playing career that included starring roles in both the NHL and KHL.

He spent 13 seasons in the NHL with the Atlanta Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens and Capitals, recording 443 goals and 876 points over 926 career games. With Russia, Kovalchuk won two gold medals at the world championship and an Olympic gold medal in 2018.

“I understand the responsibility that comes with this position,” he added. “We have important work ahead of us, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Artyukhin, meanwhile, transitions into management after a lengthy pro career of his own and replaces Igor Varitsky as GM.

“It’s an honour to take on this role,” Artyukhin said. “Our goal is to build a team that can compete at a high level and represent Shanghai with pride.”

The Dragons struggled this past season, finishing outside the playoff picture and prompting a reset.

Former Capitals assistant Mitch Love, who was fired last fall after a team investigation, led the Dragons as head coach after replacing Jack Adams Award winner Gerard Gallant, who stepped down in January over health issues.

“With new leadership, we are confident the club will take the next step forward,” the team said in a statement.